Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar
No fewer than 16 police recruits were burnt to death while six others were critically injured in an auto accident on Sunday in Omu Aran, Kwara State.
The victims were said to be on their way to Nasarawa State when the accident occurred at about 10am.
An unspecified number of women were said to be among the dead in the accident involving an 18-seater Hummer bus and a Mercedes Benz 190 model.
While a source, who claimed to be an eyewitness told journalists that 16 people died, the Kwara State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Christopher Ademoluti, said only two people died.
Ademoluti, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, said the driver of the Mercedez Benz had a locked steering.
He explained that in an attempt by the driver to make the steering to be free, the vehicle veered off to the other side of the road and the Hummer bus rammed onto it, hit an electric pole and a house before it burst into flame.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the accident occurred on the Omu Aran-Ilofa Road, the same spot where a commercial motorcyclist died in an accident in December 2012.
Most of the occupants of the bus, which took off from Ilorin, were said to be of Kwara State origin and had just concluded their police training.
Another eyewitness said the Mercedes Benz car, marked AC 345 DKA, was heading toward Omu Aran before it had a head-on collision with the bus in front of the Federal Government College.
The number plate of the bus was completely damaged in the accident, making identification impossible.
Another eyewitness and auto mechanic, Mr. Adekunle Azeez, told NAN that the driver of the car, who was critically injured, lost control of the steering wheel and rammed into the bus.
“The car was on top speed on its way toward Omu-Aran and I think the driver lost grip of the steering wheel and swerved before ramming into the bus
“The bus immediately caught fire,” he said.
Those who sustained injuries were taken to the Omu-Aran General Hospital for treatment.
The Divisional Police Officer in Omu-Aran, Mr. Rasak Adebayo, confirmed the incident and said his command had started investigations.
The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fabode Olufemi, confirmed the accident, but said only two police constables died.
He, however, said the driver of the Mercedez Benz did not sustain any injury, adding that the police were on his trail.
He said, “On Sunday about 9am, a 16 seater bus conveying some newly passed out constables had an accident at Omu Aran. The vehicle collided with another vehicle which was carrying petrol. It lost control and hit a house in a nearby compound. The bus caught fire.
“Two of the constables died. The remaining 12 constables sustained various burns or injuries. They have been taken to University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
“The driver of the Mercedez that collided with the vehicle carrying police constables had no injury. Police are still looking for him. We only lost two constables. The victims are Nigerian policemen.”
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