Campaign trip: Oshiomhole escapes death in road crash, as two policemen in convoy die

The convoy of the former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC), Adams Oshiomhole  on Tuesday involved in accident which claimed lives of two policemen, and others sustaining injuries.

Penpushing reports that, the team were on their way to Usen in Ovia South-West local government area for the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign ahead of the September 19 governorship election when the crash occurred at about noon in Oluku junction along the busy Benin-Lagos highway

The crash was reported to be traced to a trailer carrying a container which ran into one of the vehicles in the convoy, killing the two police officers instantly, and two other people said to have sustained critical injuries from the accident.

Penpushing also reports that, as at the time of filing this report, Edo State Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Henry Benamaisia, was unable to confirm the number of casualties. but he said his officials had been dispatched to the scene of the accident.

“I am trying to find out the authenticity of the incident. I learnt it happened at Oluku junction. I have sent my men there to find out. I will get back to you as soon as I get the details,” Benamaisia said.

Penpushing reports that, a media aide to Oshiomhole, Victor Oshioke, while narrating the incident said the truck veered in the same direction of the convoy and ran into a Toyota Hilux carrying seven policemen.

“Some minutes after noon today, Tuesday, September 1, 2020, there was a motor accident involving the convoy of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, along Benin Lagos by-pass before Oluku junction’.

“The convoy was heading to Usen Community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was expected to appear at a campaign rally alongside Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC governorship candidate in the September 19 election in the state, when a trailer driving in the same direction veered off its course’

‘Hit the back-up Toyota Hilux vehicle carrying seven policemen, forcing it off the road, into the bush and rammed into the sports utility vehicle carrying Comrade Oshiomhole, causing substantial damage.We are sad to report that two police personnel in the Toyota Hilux truck lost their lives while two others are in critical condition receiving treatment at a hospital in the state.”

Penpushing also reports that, the media said his boss and other persons in the convoy did not sustain injuries, adding that, “It is pertinent to state, without fear of contradiction, that the convoy of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was maintaining legal speed limits when this incident occurred’.

‘This explains why the trailer, travelling in the same direction overran the Hilux truck off the road and still hit the SUV carrying Comrade Oshiomhole, causing substantial damage, the media aide said.

“Without prejudice to police investigations, eyewitnesses’ account of the incident suggests, and we believe rightly too, that this was an assassination attempt, targeting Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. It is painful that innocent policemen performing their legal duties lost their lives in this very unfortunate incident.”

Penpushing reports that, he said the matter was immediately reported at the Ekiadolor Police Station, and investigations are ongoing, stressing that, “finally we call on the security agencies to do everything possible to unravel the circumstances surrounding this incident, especially because of the threat to the life of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the violence which has been directed towards him and his those around him in recent times,” .

The head of the Edo All Progressives Congress (APC) media team for the campaign John Mayaki in his remarks said the party has called off its campaign following the road crash, explaining that this was done  to honour the dead.

“On behalf of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the APC, we condole with the families of the victims. They are not alone in the grief. We pledge that the campaign would do everything within its powers to ameliorate their grief.”

Penpushing further reports that the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has condoled with his estranged political mentor, Oshiomhole, and the Governorship candidate of the All Progrressives Congress (APC), Ize-Iyamu, over the sad accident.

The Governor in a statement commiserated with the families of the victims of the crash and prayed that God grants them the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones.