Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election in Edo State, Mallam Abudu Ganiyu Audu, has mourned the death of some policemen and APC supporters on the party’s campaign train on Tuesday.
In a condolence message he signed, Mallam Audu said: “Sometime after noon on Tuesday September 1, 2020, while at 5 junction, enroute Usen community in Ovia south west local government area of Edo State, I was called to the scene of a ghastly, tragic & fatal motor accident involving the motorcade of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, along Benin-Lagos bypass before Oluku junction.
“Comrade’s destination was also Usen Community, where he was expected to rendezvous with the Governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and I, to address All Progressive Congress(APC) party faithful and well-wishers at the Edo 2020 APC gubernatorial campaign rally at that location.
“At the scene of the accident, I was informed that an 18 wheel truck driving in the same direction as Comrade’s motorcade, veered off-course and crashed into the last vehicle in the convoy, a Toyota Hilux vehicle carrying 7 policemen, forcing it off-road, into the bushes and it thereafter rammed into the vehicle carrying Comrade Oshiomhole, causing severe and life threatening damage to it.
“I was filled with sorrow & distress to witness the lifeless bodies of two policemen, who had been traveling in the Toyota Hilux and consequently lost their lives under extremely gruesome circumstances right there at the scene of the accident.
“Mercifully inspite of his vehicle being crashed into by the 18-wheeler, Allah the sustainer of life, spared the life of Adams Oshiomhole, erstwhile National chairman of the APC and whilom Governor of Edo state. I am also pleased to report that there were no other fatalities as two other policemen, though seriously injured and in critical condition, are receiving treatment at a hospital in Benin, they shall be in our prayers for a speedy recovery.
“We also ask Allah to bestow his Mercy on the departed souls and grant their families the fortitude to bear this devastating loss.
“Because the circumstances under which that 18 wheeler truck, though travelling under proper human control up to that point, and then mysteriously colliding so precisely with Comrade Oshiomole’s motorcade need to be investigated urgently, we challenge all relevant security and traffic management agencies to Immediately commence investigations into this tragic and avoidable loss of lives.”
