Senate condemns use of naval helicopter by politicians

A Senator, Olubunmi Adetumbi (ACN Ekiti), Tuesday, condemned the use of a military helicopter for use by civilians during the burial of the father of a presidential adviser, Oronto Douglas.

One of the naval helicopters used for the burial ceremony in Bayelsa crashed and killed its six occupants including the Governor of Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa; and the former National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi.

Mr. Adetunmbi said the use of the naval helicopter by unauthorized politicians was a symbol of the corruption within the Nigerian system.


The Senator spoke on the floor of the Senate during a debate on a motion sponsored by Chris Anyanwu (PDP, Imo) on the urgent need to investigate the recent crash of Naval Augusta Helicopter in Bayelsa.

He said the death of Mr. Yakowa, Mr. Azazi and others was a result of the failure of the system to address the issue of corruption.

Mr. Adetumbi said the crashed helicopter is called a military training helicopter, but was obviously not being used for military training on that day.

He said that pertinent questions, such as who authorised the use of the helicopter for civilian purposes must be asked and answers given.

“Who gave the order for the chopper to be used? What is the purpose of private charter helicopter? Why was a private chopper not hired? Is it what the Navy appropriation is being used for?” Mr. Adetumbi asked.

He called on the parliament to do more than paying tribute to the deceased and observing one minute silence in their honour, but to take action to forestall future occurrences.

Meanwhile, the Senate condemned what it described as the resurgence of air mishaps in the country, and mandated its committees on Navy, Air force and Aviation to investigate the frequency of these mishaps.

The Senate also called on government to publish all previous reports of investigative panels into air crashes in the country.

The Senate took these decisions in Abuja on Tuesday after the motion by Ms. Anyanwu.

The debate is on the urgent need to investigate the recent crash of Naval Augusta Helicopter in Bayelsa.