One of the victims of the ghastly motor accident at PTI junction, Effurun on Wednesday 20th January.
By Abasifreke Effiong
A woman and a child were killed inside a tricycle which was involved in an accident around PTI junction, Effurun, Uvwie local government area, Delta State.
The death of the woman and the baby caused pandemonium around the area after some persons alleged that a police van chasing suspected internet fraudsters hit the tricycle that conveyed the woman and child.
However, a first responder at the scene of the incident who spoke to The Dune on Wednesday evening said that the tricycle was hit by a tipper, not a police vehicle.
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The first responder who was also an eyewitness at the scene of the incident is a trusted new source of The Dune and did not want her name on print.
She said, “the people saying that it was a police van that hit the Keke that conveyed the woman and child involved in the unfortunately accident that happened her at PTI junction are liars. My shop is here at the roundabout, so I saw it. It was a tipper that hit that Keke.
Tippers and tricycle involved in the accident.
“We were the people who rushed to the police station to call the police, because the police station is nearby. The police van arrived immediately, before people gathered, so people who came after the police van thought it was the police van; so from there they attacked the van and set it ablaze.”
The Delta State Police Command has said vehemently that the police were “not involved in the unfortunate incident that led to the death of a woman and child”.
Police Public Relations Officer in the State, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya in a statement on Wednesday evening said “the accident involved a Mercedes Tipper with Reg. No. WWR 425 ZR loaded with granite, a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. AKD 403 FM and a Tricycle Reg. No yet unknown all moving in the same direction and Police vehicle was never involved.”
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The statement by the police confirmed the death of two passengers in the incident and one other person injured.
The statement reads, “the Delta State Police Command wish to put the records straight in respect of the ugly incident that occurred today being 20/1/2021 at about 13:40hrs along PTI Express Way in Effurun, Uvwie LGA of Delta State where a multiple fatal motor/tricycle accident occurred.”
“The accident involved a Mercedes Tipper with Reg. No. WWR 425 ZR loaded with granite, a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. AKD 403 FM and a Tricycle Reg. No yet unknown all moving in the same direction and Police vehicle was never involved. Two passengers conveyed by the Tricycle a woman and a baby girl died on the spot and other passengers were injured.”
“The Delta State Police Command deeply sympathizes with the families of the deceased and the injured persons and equally frowns at the unjust treatment meted to Police officers who went to rescue the victims by members of the public, they went as far as burning the Police patrol vehicle that came for the rescue operation. The perpetrators of this dastardly act will be brought to book.”
“The Command also wishes to inform the general public that neither Operation Delta Hawk nor Ebrumede patrol vehicle was involved as speculated earlier”, the statement emphasised.
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Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has condoled with the family of the victims who lost their lives in the incident.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said the Governor has charged the police to commence urgent and accelerated investigation into the circumstances surrounding the losses.
“The sad news of the death of a woman and her daughter in a rather bizarre circumstance in Warri on Wednesday is quite unfortunate and disheartening.”
“I appeal to the people of Warri to remain calm and law-abiding, and allow the government and law enforcement agencies to take necessary steps to address the situation.”
Governor Okowa charged the police to ensure that law and order prevailed in the area.
