Wigwe, Yakowa, prominent Nigerians who died in plane crashes

Nigeria lost of its brightest minds in the banking and financial sector on Friday when the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings died in a helicopter crash in California United States.

Wigwe was in a chopper with his wife, son and three other passengers, including former Nigeria Stock Exchange chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, when the incident happened.

They were reportedly heading for Las Vegas to watch the Super Bowl, the annual league championship game of the National Football League (NFL) of the United States.

Here are some notable Nigerians who have died in plane and helicopter crashes.

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Patrick Yakowa

The former Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, died in a naval helicopter that crashed and burst into flames in the forest of Okoroba, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, shortly after take-off. Yakowa was a Nigerian politician who served as governor of Kaduna State from 2010 to 2012.

Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Abubakar III
The 19th Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido Abubakar III, also died in a plane crash on ADC Airlines Flight 53 on October 29, 2006, while returning to Sokoto after meeting with President Olusegun Obasanjo. Maccido died along with his son, Badamasi Maccido and both were buried in Sokoto.

Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, lost his life in the ill-fated aircraft that killed 11 military officers on board, on May 21, 2021.

The aircraft crashed near Kaduna International Airport while the military officers were on their way to the passing out parade of regular recruits slated for the next day.

General Andrew Owoye Azazi
Former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Owoye Azazi, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, also died in a crash alongside the late Governor Yakowa in December 2012. He was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS).