TheCable

An accident involving the convoy of Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara state, has claimed the lives of two police officers attached to him.

Yusuf Idris, the director-general of press affairs, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.

Idris said the accident occurred along Funtua/Gusau road around 6pm.

He said Aminu Usman, a police inspector, and Nura Mohammed, a sergeant, lost their lives instantly at the scene of the accident.

He said the deceased had escorted Matawalle to Abuja on a five-day official trip but that while they were returning with the governor, one of the vehicles in the convoy broke down in Zaria, Kaduna state.

“The two policemen were among the seven persons left behind to oversee the repairs of the broken down vehicle before coming to Gusau,” he said.

“About two hours later, however, the sad news was brought to the governor that those left behind were involved in the crash while driving in a heavy downpour and that the two policemen had died.

“Amidst tears, the governor directed the evacuation of the wounded persons from Funtua General Hospital where they were receiving treatment to a referral hospital for better care under the supervision of the governor’s personal physician.

“The doctor was also directed to update the governor on the progress of the treatment.”

He said while one of the policemen was unhurt, the other four sustained varying degree of injuries.

Idris said the governor had condoled with the families of the deceased, adding that the state government would pay the medical bills of those hospitalised.