The Edo State Government has commiserated with the families of the seven victims of the accident involving the advance Protocol Team of the Governor at Ehor Village, on the outskirts of Benin City, the Edo State capital.
In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, conveyed the state government’s condolences to the victims and their families.
He said, “We have confirmed from the Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) details of the accident involving the advance team of the Governor’s Protocol team.
“The development is extremely sad. We commiserate with the families of the victims and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
“From our findings, the Audi vehicle lost its tyre and ran into a pothole, before colliding with the Hilux vehicle, which was conveying protocol officers from Edo State Government House.”
He said the state government would ensure that the affected families get the necessary support to lessen the impact of the sad incident, noting that more information on the development will be released to the press soon.
Punch Newspapers had earlier reported that, at least seven persons, including five adults and two children, were on Saturday morning killed in a ghastly auto accident involving the advance team of Governor Godwin Obaseki on Benin-Auchi Expressway.
It added that, several other persons including one of the Governor’s driver were also injured in the accident.
The advance team were said to be on their way to Ambrose Ali University, AAU, at Ekpoma for the convocation of the university.
The State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, described it as “very unfortunate.”
