Three Policemen Die, 10 Policemen Critically Injured In Motor Accident Along Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway

Three of the policemen posted to Effium, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on a peace mission following the crisis that erupted between the people of Effium and Ezza Effium, have died in an auto-crash Wednesday morning.

 

The crash occurred along the Permanent Site of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), axis of Abakaliki/Enugu expressway, while they were returning from the waring community.

 

Ten Policemen were also critically injured and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

For two weeks now, the people of Effium and Ezza Effium in Ohaukwu local government area of the state have been engaged in communal clashes that have claimed many lives and properties.

 

An eyewitness said a hilux van conveying the Policemen from Effium hit a concrete pavement on the road and skidded off to the other lane where it hit an electric pole, leading to the death of policemen instantly.

Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Aliyu who spoke with an emotional laden voice said “yes three officers died on their way back from Effium where they went to restore peace while 10 others are in intensive Unit of the hospital now.

 

“Yes, am in the hospital now, we lost 3 officers while 10 are on intensive care unit”, he said.

 

The state Police Public Officer, Loveth Odah, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, had told our Correspondent in a chat that normalcy was returning to the troubled Effium community .

 

According to her, residents of the community who fled to Izzi, Ohaukwu, and parts of Benue state were making their way back home.

 

“They decided to use traditional means to make peace and they have embraced peace. As I talk to you now, normalcy has returned to the area. They have agreed to drop their hostilities against one another and we are very happy with them for that.

 

“The CP has directed that the suspects arrested with offensive weapons and the suspected warriors who keep on killing innocent citizens be charged to court because we recovered not less than 20 pump-action and other offensive weapons from them. The suspects arrested should be over 50”, she said.

Source: Independent