Two police officers have been confirmed dead following a road accident involving the convoy of the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, at Oluku junction, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Two other people are said to have sustained severe injuries from the accident which happened on Tuesday, September 1st, 2020.

This incident comes barely three weeks from the much anticipated Gubernatorial elections in the State slated for September 19th, 2020.

The team was on their way to Usen in Ovia South-West Local Government Area for the APC campaign election.

It was gathered that the accident happened at about 12 noon in Oluku junction along the busy Benin-Lagos highway when a trailer carrying a container ran into one of the vehicles in the convoy, killing the two police officers instantly.

Victor Oshioke, a media aide to Mr Oshiomhole, said in a statement that the truck went in the same direction of the convoy and ran into a Toyota Hilux carrying seven policemen.

Mr Oshioke said, “some minutes after noon today, Tuesday, September 1, 2020, there was a motor accident involving the convoy of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, along Benin Lagos by-pass before Oluku junction.

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“The convoy was heading to Usen Community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was expected to appear at a campaign rally alongside Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC governorship candidate in the September 19 election in the state, when a trailer driving in the same direction veered off its course, hit the back-up Toyota Hilux vehicle carrying seven policemen, forcing it off the road, into the bush and rammed into the sports utility vehicle carrying Comrade Oshiomhole, causing substantial damage.

“We are sad to report that two police personnel in the Toyota Hilux truck lost their lives while two others are in critical condition receiving treatment at a hospital in the state.”

He said Mr Oshiomhole and other persons in the convoy did not sustain injuries.

“It is pertinent to state, without fear of contradiction, that the convoy of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was maintaining legal speed limits when this incident occurred. This explains why the trailer, travelling in the same direction overran the Hilux truck off the road and still hit the SUV carrying Comrade Oshiomhole, causing substantial damage.

“Without prejudice to police investigations, eyewitnesses’ account of the incident suggests, and we believe rightly too, that this was an assassination attempt, targeting Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. It is painful that innocent policemen performing their legal duties lost their lives in this very unfortunate incident,” he said.

The media aide said the matter was immediately reported at the Ekiadolor Police Station, and investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, APC Governorship candidate in the State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, described the accident as a ‘curious’.

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He said eyewitnesses revealed that the truck appeared to have deliberately rammed into the convoy.

Iyamu in a statement also said he has suspended all his campaign activities and is joining efforts with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to ensure the best care for injured persons.

He said, “I wish to send my deepest sympathies to families, friends, and all who knew the two exceptional policemen we lost today in the tragic and disturbing crash involving the convoy of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole travelling with other leaders to a campaign event in Usen, Ovia South East LGA.

“We have since called off all campaign events scheduled for today and joined efforts with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to ensure the best care for injured persons.

“The circumstances of the crash were indeed curious and have left us deeply concerned, as the truck responsible for the crash, according to witness accounts of those in the convoy and other road users, appeared to have deliberately rammed into the convoy.

“While awaiting the conclusion of the investigation of the police in response to our petition, I urge our party followers across the state to remain calm and alert. May God rest the dead, amen,” Ize-Iyamu said.

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