Senator Ojudu: How we survived helicopter crash with VP Osinbajo

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a political adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday thanked safety measures and quick response of security personnel for saving himself and 11 others who were in the helicopter that crashed on Saturday.

Ojudu was on the delegation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when the accident occurred as their chopper was landing in Kabba, Kogi State.

The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. Messrs Osinbajo and Ojudu escaped unhurt with 10 other persons on the helicopter. The minister of state for labour and productivity, Stephen Ocheni, was also onboard.

Caverton Group, an air charter service which operated the Augusta A139 helicopter, blamed “unusual weather conditions” for the crash in a preliminary statement. Further investigations are expected.

The vice president spoke shortly after the incident, saying he was alive and well and that campaign activities for the upcoming presidential elections would continue as scheduled.

Nigerians of divergent political and religious affiliations have congratulated Osinbajo and all others in the fated helicopter.

The vice president, a Pentecostal Christian, is expected to take part at a thanksgiving service in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, this Sunday morning, according to persons familiar with his schedule.

He would then proceed to Ida, another major town in the state, for campaign tour. The presidential elections hold on February 16, and the administration is seeking reelection.

In a Facebook update, Ojudu said he was calm during the accident, although the focus was largely on the vice president’s safety.

“To family, friends and associates thank you all for your concern and show of love and affection. I can’t thank you enough. It was a miracle we survived.

“The belts did a marvelous job and so were the security men on ground who quickly pulled us out of the wreckage not minding their own safety.

“We were also calm all through the ordeal. There was no panic of any kind.

“The immediate concern of all of us was the safety of our principal. We ensured he got out first. He too ensured we were all out before going into a vehicle.

“When we were all safely in the bus he insisted the assignment must go on and we drove to the palace of Obaro of Kabba.

“The Kabba people gave us a warm welcome and showered us with prayers. We thank them all.

“Above all God must be praised for providing us that umbrella of protection and prevented the helicopter from exploding in flames,” the former senator from Ekiti State said.