Benatare, who was in tears as she spoke with our reporter, said she was at the airport until the airport closed for the day, just wishing her father would come out somehow, somewhere.
She said: “I saw my dad on Friday in Abuja. He brought some things for me from Lagos, so, I met him at the airport to pick the things up. He told me he was coming back and we would have time to discuss and so I left.
“On hearing about the crash, I rushed back to the airport. I was at the airport until they closed for the day, wishing something would just happen and he was not inside that helicopter.
“But it dawned on me my dad was not coming back when the airport closed for the day. I am yet to come out of the shock.
“He was a wonderful father. I do not think there is any dad like mine. Nothing
he wouldn’t do for us. He did everything. I cannot even imagine he is no more. It is really hard to believe.”
Pelede said: “I will surely miss my father and no matter how anybody tries to father me, it will never be like my dad.
“I had a close bond with my father. I remember we all came here to have dinner together on Friday and my brother Owoye was supposed to go and watch Sunny Ade (a juju musician) at Ikoyi Club.
“My dad laughed and spoke about how Sunny Ade would normally dance while playing, which he can no longer do so well now; he is an old man.
“We all laughed and shared jokes. We discussed our annual carol, especially because this year’s was to hold on Wednesday. So, I told him, ‘okay dad, have a safe trip tomorrow, I will see you when you return, but here we are.
“I still believe it is a nightmare. I really wish to wake up to realise I have been in a dream all the while. But it has happened and we thank God. We have to thank God in all things.
“He was a great gentleman; he served this country with a passion. He was a father who can never be replaced and I only wish I could just see him one last time to tell him I love him.
“Life without him will be unbearable but we have to do our best to cope. I will say he left a big legacy for us to feel. His shoes are really big for us to occupy, but we will make sure we do our best not to disappoint him.
Feelers from the late general’s home yesterday indicated that his family and close associates suspect foul play in the way he died.
Some family members believe that the late Gen. Azazi was to be appointed an ambassador in January before the disaster occurred.
A family member said: “No one can convince me that the helicopter just crashed. Whoever killed him will not see the end of this year; it has been my prayer since I heard about the crash.
“Daddy Azazi was a good man, very bold, outspoken and God-fearing. He never discriminated against anyone. He was to be made an ambassador by January and now they have killed him.”
Moreover, sympathisers who visited the family yesterday prayed with the widow and children and unanimously declared that Gen. Aziza’s killer(s) will also die. Christians and Muslims prayed together and sang praises to God.
The First Lady, who came into the house at 4:30pm, was received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, and Gen. Azazi’s first son, Owoye Jnr.
Mrs. Jonathan broke down in tears as she consoled Gen. Azazi’s wife, Alero.
The President’s wife, who spoke in a low tone, muttered such words as “God knows best; it is shocking news but God is your strength, my sister.”
She wrote in the condolence register: “My dear brother, your demise is so painful, but we take solace in the fact that death is an inevitable end.
“You came, you saw and you conquered. You were a fine, courageous and professional soldier. You made your mark.”
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