Nigerian Governor, 5 others die in copter crash

A governor of Nigerian state and a former National Security Advisor were among six people killed when a Navy helicopter carrying them crashed in the country's oil-rich southern delta region, in the latest air tragedy to hit Africa's most populous country.

The chopper was conveying officials who went for a funeral ceremony for the father of a presidential aide.

The Governor of Nigeria's northern state of Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi and four of their aides died in the crash.

The crash occurred on Saturday afternoon after the navy helicopter took off from the village of Okoroba in Bayelsa state where officials had gathered to attend the burial.

"Their bodies have been recovered and are being evacuated," an aide to Azazi was quoted by local media, News Express as saying.

Sources said the military helicopter conveying Yakowa and others was heading to the city of Port Harcourt from Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa.

Aviation disasters remain common in the country, despite recent efforts to improve air safety.

Recently, a chopper flown by the governor of Taraba state, had crashed, injuring him and three aides.

With Agency Inputs In June, 163 people were killed when a Dana Air passenger plane crashed into a neighbourhood in the commercial capital of Lagos making it Nigeria's worst air crash in nearly two decades.