Herbert Wigwe, Lt.-Gen. Attahiru… top Nigerian figures who died in helicopter crash

The haunting memories of tragic air mishaps resurface as news of the Airbus Helicopters EC-130 crash spreads claiming the lives of Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son, leaving Nigerians in mourning once again. 

Departing from Palm Springs at 8:45 pm, flight N130CZ, operated by Orbic Air LLC, was last sighted near Fort Irwin/Barstow at 21:49 pm.

In this piece, Crispng.com documents top Nigerian figures who have died in helicopter crashes;

Muhammadu Maccido

In a somber twist of fate, the 19th Sultan of Sokoto, Ibrahim Muhammadu Maccido, on 29 October 2006 met his tragic end alongside prominent figures on a fateful flight from Abuja to Sokoto. 

Among the lost souls were his son, Senator Badamasi Maccido, and another senator, Sule Yari Gandi. The crash also claimed Abdulrahman Shagari, son of a former head of state, as well as Sokoto’s deputy governor, Garba Mohammed, and the education commissioner.

The ill-fated journey, aboard an Aviation Development Company (ADC) flight, ended abruptly in a storm shortly after takeoff from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. 

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Among the grim statistics of the disaster, only nine individuals managed to survive out of the 100 passengers and five crew members onboard.

An investigation by the United States Federal Aviation Administration attributed the ADC crash to the “pilot’s incorrect action,” noting that despite alarms in the cockpit and adverse weather conditions, the pilots’ response led to the plane’s fatal stall.

Claude Ake

Tragedy struck the academic world when Claude Ake, a distinguished professor of political economy, perished in an air disaster on November 7, 1996. 

The ill-fated journey from Port Harcourt to Lagos ended abruptly when the Boeing 737, owned by ADC, lost control near Ejinrin, Lagos State. Desperately maneuvering to evade a mid-air collision, the aircraft succumbed to the chaos of the moment.

The crash claimed the lives of all 143 passengers aboard, casting a pall of sorrow over the nation. Claude Ake’s untimely demise left a void in the realm of political thought, his contributions forever enshrined in the annals of academia.

Abimbola Odukoya

In a heart-wrenching tragedy, Abimbola Rosemary Odukoya, known as Pastor Bims, met her untimely end in the devastating crash of Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 on December 10, 2005. 

Revered as a pastor, writer, and televangelist, she was the beloved wife of Taiwo Odukoya, the revered founder of Fountain of Life Church.

Renowned for her inspirational speaking and invaluable marriage counseling, Pastor Bims was a beacon of hope and wisdom, garnering numerous awards for her dedication to nation-building in Nigeria and beyond. 

Her journey to Port Harcourt for a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) program, where she aimed to impart her wisdom to young attendees, tragically ended in the plane crash.

Though she sustained grave injuries in the accident, Pastor Bims succumbed to her wounds the following day, leaving a profound void in the hearts of many. 

Levi Ajuonoma

In the vivid 1990s broadcasting, Levi Ajuonoma held court, weaving tales through radio and television. From the rhythmic beats of ‘Open House Party’ on RayPower to the captivating charm of ‘The Sunday Show’ and ‘Levi Ajuonoma Live’, he enchanted audiences across Nigeria. But fate’s cruel hand snatched him away on that tragic Sunday, June 3, 2012, when a Dana plane plummeted from the skies, claiming 153 souls, including his.

President Goodluck Jonathan draped the nation in mourning, honoring the lives lost in the aviation abyss. Ajuonoma’s journey began as an announcer at Imo Broadcasting Service, Owerri, blossoming into a luminary whose brilliance graced American academia and Nigerian airwaves. Armed with degrees from Huntington College, University of Minnesota, and Plymouth State College, his intellect shone brightly.

From the hallowed halls of Keene State College to the heart of Nigerian media, Ajuonoma’s legacy transcends tragedy, his voice forever etched in the annals of broadcasting history.

Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru 

The Nigerian Army’s Chief, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, along with 10 others, tragically perished in a Nigerian Air Force plane crash near Kaduna International Airport. 

Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, the Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed the incident in a statement titled ‘Chief of Army Staff, Attahiru, dies in air crash,’ refraining from disclosing the other victims’ identities. 

The plane was on 21st May 2021 on en route from Abuja to Kaduna when it crashed.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff on January 26, 2021, succeeding Major General Tukur Buratai.

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Attahiru, alongside other military heads, assumed office on January 28. The sudden loss of Attahiru, a seasoned military leader, reverberates throughout the nation.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.

“The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.

“The COAS was en route to Kaduna from Abuja on May 21, when the unfortunate incident happened.

Herbert Wigwe

Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son, are believed to be among six passengers aboard a helicopter that crashed near the California-Nevada border. 

The crash, reported by The New York Times, has yet to yield any survivors. Though Access Holdings has not confirmed Wigwe’s death, sources close to him suggest his presence on the flight. 

The Eurocopter EC130 went down near Nipton, Calif., around 10 p.m local time, as stated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department was alerted at 10:12 p.m. local time and discovered the crash site east of Interstate 15. 

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Departing from Palm Springs at 8:45 pm, flight N130CZ, operated by Orbic Air LLC, was last sighted near Fort Irwin/Barstow at 21:49 pm. The cause of the Airbus Helicopters EC-130 crash remains ambiguous, prompting investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration, with N.T.S.B. representatives anticipated at the scene on Saturday.