Agency investigating Osinbajo’s chopper crash ‘to release report in days’

Akin Olateru, commissioner of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), says the agency will release a preliminary report explaining the crash of the helicopter conveying Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and 11 others on Saturday.

Osinbajo and members of his team were en route Kogi state from Abuja when the Caverton Helicopters-operated flight crash-landed in Kabba, a town in the state.

No casualty was recorded and the vice-president continued on his planned visit immediately after the accident.

In a statement, Olateru who is the agency’s chief executive officer, said there is no need for speculation as the report will be ready in a “matter of days”.

“Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the agency of government created under the Civil Aviation Act 2006 with a clear mandate to investigate air accidents and serious incidents has commenced investigation into this accident,” the statement read.

“I am ensuring the entire public that this investigation will be detailed, thorough and timely.

“Accident Investigation is NOT to apportion blame, it is about FACT FINDING and making safety recommendations with a view to preventing future occurrences.

“I would like to enjoin the press and the public please to respect the privacy of the people involved and NOT to preempt the cause of the accident.

“AIB will release the preliminary report which will include factual information about the accident in a matter of days.”

While expressing gratitude to the rescue team that was mobilised after crash, the AIB commissioner said the agency would welcome useful information from the public to assist their investigation.

“I will like to appreciate the professionalism of the rescue team, without whose effort there may have been recorded casualty and/or injury,” the statement read.

“As the investigating agency, AIB needs and hereby solicits for your help. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip(s), relevant evidence, or information any member of the public may have of the accident; that can assist us with this investigation.”