Sallah: 3 policemen feared dead, 39 others injured in auto crash

Three police officers from the Nasarawa state police command were said to have been killed while 39 others were seriously injured in a road mishap in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The injured officers, according to the Nigerian Tribune investigations, were currently receiving treatments at both the National Hospital and Asokoro Hospital in Abuja.

Investigations further revealed that three senior officers, two Assistant Superintendents Police (ASPs) ASP1, as well as ASP11 and one Inspector died forthwith, while 39 others sustained various degrees of injuries and were currently receiving treatment.

It was further gathered that the officers, who were deployed to Abuja for special duties on Sallah day, were on their way to the Force Headquarters, Garki in Area 11, a few minutes’ drive to their destination to report officially before the accident happened.

A credible senior police officer told the Nigerian Tribune that the incident which occurred, on Thursday, a day to Sallah celebration was as a result of brake failure in which the TATA truck they were travelling in lost control and summersaulted severally thereby resulting into serious fatal accident.

When contacted, however, on phone in Abuja, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), FCT Command, Anjuguri Manzah, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) referred the Nigerian Tribune to the PPRO, Nasarawa State Police Command, saying the command should be in best position to speak on the accident.

Also contacted, on phone, the Nasarawa State Command PPRO, DSP John Kennedy Idirisu confirmed the accident and said one police officer died, adding that he could only confirm the demise of one officer that died that day, as he was still awaiting more information about the incident.