A brother of the Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland has been killed in a police helicopter crash in the central Nigerian city of Jos, Metro Éireann has learned.
Police Chief Superintendent Alexander Pwol-Ja, who was reportedly co-piloting the aircraft, died with three colleagues on the morning of 14 March while returning to the capital Abuja after a surveillance operation aimed at curbing militant activity in the area.
The brother of Ambassador Felix Pwol was discovered along with the bodies of Deputy Inspector General Haruna John, Assistant Commissioner of Police Garba Yalwa and Sgt Sonatian Shirunam.
Emmanuel Samuel, an eyewitness and resident in the area, told local newspaper The Nation how he saw the Bell helicopter “crashing into a building” in a satellite town on the outskirts of Jos, near a market and a secondary school.
“This is a terrible loss and I hope this alone should make people sheath their swords and allow peace to reign in this state,” he said, “as the victims of the crash came to Jos in the interest of peace.”
Although the cause of the crash is not yet known, media reports suggested the surveillance craft was thought to be faulty at the time of the incident.
In a statement, Nigerian police spokesman Olusola Amore confirmed that an investigation into the incident has been launched.
Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to the Chief Supt Pwol-Ja, who has also been described as a “true professional”.
A Swedish-based Nigerian who knew him told Metro Éireann that he was one of the “finest gentlemen”, adding that his death is “a terrible loss” to both his family and the Nigerian police force.
Chief Supt Pwol-Ja and the other victims have since been buried.
