On board were 12 people, including two crew members.
Six others, who were injured, were rescued from the scene of the crash, which was still being combed late yesterday for the two missing persons.
The chopper, marked 5N – BDG – 760540, was flying from an oil rig between Ondo and Lagos states, with contractors of a dredging company, Indigo, who were returning to base.
The incident occurred at about 3:10pm at Oworonsoki.
Eyewitnesses said they saw the chopper spinning before nose-diving 900 metres from the shore.
The victims, it was gathered, had spent two weeks on the rig and were coming back for their two-week break, as it is the practice.
One person walked out of the crash without assistance. He was taken to the hospital on a motorcycle. The others had fractured limbs.
According to dredgers on Alonge Street, where the chopper nose-dived, the six persons rescued alive included a man who allegedly walked out of the crashed chopper, had serious injuries and was in pains.
They alleged that the co-pilot, who was among those rescued, had broken limbs and held his back, gasping for air.
The dredgers said their tried rescuing the passengers before emergency agencies arrived at the scene about 45 minutes later.
Ihindu, who alleged that his divers and equipment were deployed immediately the incident occurred, said one of the rescued passengers told them there were 14 people on board, including a woman.
He said all those rescued were male, identifying them as Solomon Ude, Joshua Emekanma, Chukwudi Onah, Dolu Ebiejuara, Iniala Paimi and Onoriode Ojiete.
Recounting how the chopper came down, Ihindu said it was very fast, adding that they had noticed it flying very low.
According to him, the chopper nose-dived into the lagoon.
He said local divers recovered eight persons-seven injured and one dead- who were handed over to the police for further action.
Corroborating his story, a woman who identified herself as Ibirounke said: “We were here working when it happened. The helicopter was flying towards this direction at low height. But, suddenly it started spinning and turned on the opposite direction before going underwater.
“Our men saved all those who were alive. We rescued eight people from this side and of the eight, one died. Seven others survived though they had serious injuries and some have drunk water.
“On the other side, three other bodies were recovered, making four dead. Some of the victims who could talk told us that they work for Indigo Dredging.”