Former presidential aide Babafemi Ojudu has revealed that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello once warned then-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against visiting Kabba, Kogi State.
In 2019, Osinbajo was involved in a helicopter crash in Kabba during a political campaign.
The helicopter captain was blamed for allegedly using inappropriate landing techniques and failing to follow company procedures.
The incident generated nationwide buzz at the time, with many linking it to attempted political sabotage.
Recalling the crash, Ojudu said Bello had warned Osinbajo not to visit Kabba because the people of the area allegedly had “spiritual powers.”
He claimed Bello told Osinbajo that the people might harm him if he set foot in their domain.
Ojudu made the revelation while reacting to the recent helicopter crash in Ghana that killed two ministers and six others in the Ashanti region.
According to Ojudu, Bello refused to visit the crash site due to the alleged spiritual threat, forcing the delegation to travel down to his residence in Okene.
In a Facebook post titled “My Helicopter Crash Experience,” Ojudu wrote:
“I remembered February 2, 2019 — the day the sky almost swallowed us. Despite being in government, many of us paid for our hotels, logistics, even our food.
“That day, we were to land in Kabba — a town the state governor had warned us against visiting. He claimed the people there had ‘spiritual powers’ and might harm him if he stepped foot in their domain. He refused to receive us — and true to his word, stayed away. Even when news of the crash broke, he didn’t come.
“We travelled in two helicopters: one belonging to the Nigeria Police, carrying the advance team, and the other — a Caverton chopper — carrying the Vice President, myself, Minister of State for Labour Stephen Ochei, Media Adviser Laolu Akande, and three security operatives.
“Protocol required that the advance chopper land first, raising dust. The second was to wait until the dust settled before descending. That afternoon, something went wrong. The dust hadn’t cleared, yet our chopper began its descent. Suddenly, a brown cloud enveloped everything. We could see nothing. And then — a loud, terrifying thud.
“The impact jolted us violently. Despite our seatbelts, we were tossed around like rag dolls. Phones, iPads, caps — all went flying. Panic filled the air. ‘Jesus! Jesus!’ voices cried in chaos. I shouted, ‘Calm down! Calm down!’ trying to hold it together.”
