Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed shock at the death of Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna, Gen. Owoye Azazi, former National Security Adviser, and four others in a helicopter crash.
The naval helicopter crashed in Okoroba community in Bayelsa State on Saturday, killing Yakowa, Azazi, their aides, the pilot and co-pilot.
Obasanjo, who?is in the United States, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that he received news of the crash and casualty with shock and regret.
''This is indeed a tragedy,” he said. “Our nation has lost compatriots whose contributions have been invaluable and who would still have been giving their best to our development.''
The former President expressed his heartfelt condolence to the families of the bereaved and prayed that God should grant them needed succour.
'' I pray that God in His infinite mercies grants the deceased eternal rest,'' Obasanjo said in the interview with NAN. (NAN)