Helicopter crash kills 6 in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria -- A navy helicopter crashed Saturday in the oil-rich southern delta, killing a state governor and five other people, officials said.

The ruling People's Democratic Party said the governor of the central state of Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, died in the crash in Bayelsa state in the Niger Delta, describing it as a "colossal loss."

The statement said the former national security adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, also died in the crash. Azazi was fired in June amid growing sectarian violence in Nigeria, but maintained close ties with the government. Four other bodies had been found.

The helicopter had taken off from the village of Okoroba in Bayelsa state, where officials had gathered to attend the burial of the father of a presidential aide, Commodore Kabir Aliyu said. -- AP