Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the Governor of Taraba State, Dambaba Suntai has died in an aircrash at the Yola airport in the capital of Adamawa state. The Yola Airport confirms that “there was a small bird that crashed around Yola vicinity but no confirmation of the occupants yet.” The plane crashed as it approached the airport – landing near a NNPC depot.
The plane is confirmed to belong to the Taraba State government. It is a private non-commercial plane which the governor uses to travel within Nigeria and the environs.
The content of the plane is not certain but the governor was said to be the pilot of the plane – a small plane. It is uncertain whether there were other survivers but information has it that the Governor may have not survived the crash. Other source indicate that the Governor was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment – he was said to sustain severe injuries.
247ureports.com reached to the governor’s aide but none were willing to speak.
The mysterious plane crash comes days after the Islamic terrorist group issues a promise to achieve their Jihad. In the statement published by 247ureports.com the group promised to change mode of attacks to target more of the political leaders and to reduce number of innocent victims. The Adamawa area is known to house a substantial number of Boko Haram members.
It is unsure the cause of the plane crash. But sources within the government in Taraba State reveal that the Governor recently completed a seven month course at the National College of Aviation, Zaria, Kaduna. The course was completedly in March 2012. Following the conclusion of the course, the Governor was said to purchase the plane – and began piloting himself. Most times, when the governor and his cabinet members are to visit Abuja or other parts of the country, he is reported to pilot them to the destination – sometimes agains the wishes of his cabinet members.
The telephones to the Yola police remain unreachable.
The Deputy Governor was impeached by the State Assembly two weeks ago. A new Deputy Governor was sworn in a forthnight after the impeachment of the former Deputy governor.
Born 30 June 1961, Suntai was a pharmacist before entering politics. He rode to power as Executive Governor of Taraba State on the platform of Nigeria’s ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in April 2007, and was sworn in on 29 May 2007. He ran successfully for reelection on 26 April 2011.
His wife is from Yola, Adamawa State. His personal home is in Yola. He is reported to travel to Yola frequently – using the same private plane. He spends his weekends and holidays in Yola. The governor of Adamawa State, Nyako is a personal friend to Suntai.
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