Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of a major Nigerian bank, was one of six people killed in a helicopter crash in California’s Mojave Desert on Friday night, authorities said.
Wigwe’s death, who headed Access Bank Group, was confirmed on social media by Nigerian officials, including World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group, also died in the accident. Nigerian politician Godwin Obaseki reported that Wigwe’s wife and son were among the dead.
Six people believed to be dead in Las Vegas-bound helicopter crash in California’s Mojave Desert
The accident occurred around 10pm local time on Friday near Nipton, California, not far from the California-Nevada border.
Herbert Onywembu Wigwe speaks on stage at Global Citizen Live Lagos on September 18, 2021 in Lagos, Nigeria. (Andrew Esibo/Getty Images for Global Citizen/File)
The helicopter departed Palm Springs Airport around 8:45 p.m. and was heading to Boulder City, Nevada, near Las Vegas. It was said to be raining and snowing in the area at the time of the accident.
Multiple U.S. agencies are investigating the crash, including the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, NTSB, and FAA.
“The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate,” the FAA told Fox News Digital. “The NTSB is in charge of the investigation and will provide updates as they become available.”
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Herbert Onywembu Wigwe attends Global Citizen Live Lagos on September 18, 2021 in Lagos, Nigeria. (Andrew Esibo/Getty Images for Global Citizen/File)
Edo State Governor Obaseki said in a statement that he was “deeply shocked and devastated” by Wigwe’s death on Saturday.
“This tragic incident is painful and heartbreaking, and we pray for God’s lasting comfort during this extremely difficult time,” Obaseki wrote.
“Wigwe is a giant in Nigeria’s financial sector, leading Access Bank to become an international brand and putting Nigeria on the world map for premier financial services,” he added. “I extend my condolences to the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Holding, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, their friends and associates, and pray that God will give them all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Pray.”
Dusk falls in the Mojave Desert, about 10 miles north of Nipton, California. (Gina Ferrazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images/File)
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Fox News Digital reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Access Bank Group, but did not receive a response.
