Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been involved in a helicopter crash at Kabba, Kogi State this Saturday 02 February, where he went for the social empowerment TraderMoni loan programme.
VP spokesperson, Laolu Akande, confirmed this in a tweet, saying the vice president and “the entire crew are safe” and that Mr. Osinbajo is continuing with his engagements and plans for the day.
There were other unnamed dignitaries traveling with the vice president.
Confirmed details of the accident have not emerged, but an online reporter, apparently an eye witness, said the helicopter crash landed when it was about to land in the township stadium. He said the chopper managed to land at about 2.22pm at the township stadium before the rotor blade of the helicopter suddenly detached from the rotor mast to the surprise of party faithful who had gathered to welcome the vice president.
It is suspected that the pilot of the helicopter might have found it difficult to land due to poor visibility caused by dust at the stadium.
It took the effort of the security agents to rescue the vice president and other people on board. Osinbajo was immediately whisked off to the palace of Obaro of Kabba, where he paid a courtesy call.
This is the second time the vice president will be involved in a similar accident in 8 months, having survived a similar crash in June 2017 shortly after a take off in Gwagawalada, Abuja.
He was in the area council to attend the graduation of 40 senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.