A heavy tragedy has befallen Nigeria barely hours after President Goodluck Jonathan went to the biggest annual gathering of one of Africa’s largest churches to seek the face of God.

Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and immediate past National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi (retd.) were reported dead after a military helicopter came down about two hours ago in a swampy area of Nembe in Bayelsa, the President’s home state. The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. a day after Jonathan attended the Holy Ghost Service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at the Redemption Camp, near Lagos, South-West Nigeria. RCCG leader, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, laid hands on the President, who knelt before him, and prayed for him as well as for Nigeria.

Yakowa and Azazi (who was recently removed as chief security adviser by President Jonathan last) were among political heavyweights who attended the burial of the father of senior presidential aide Oronto Douglas.

The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) has launched a search for the crashed helicopter.

News Express recalls that that another Nigerian state governor, Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State, narrowly escaped death in a plane crash last October 25 and is presently receiving treatment in a German hospital.

•Photo: Yakowa.