Three Feared Killed as Nigerian Correctional Service Bus Loses Control in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Three persons were yesterday killed when the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCC) bus conveying suspects from Oke-Kura Prison in Ilorin to court lost control and rammed into people.

Apart from that, about six persons were said to have sustained serious injuries and are now in the hospital in Ilorin.

The incident, according to THISDAY checks, happened at Oja Oba Market, Ilorin, yesterday.

The development, it was further learnt, led to pandemonium in the area, as the people scamp for safety while the men of the police force and other security agencies were said to have moved to the area to restore peace.

When contacted on the incident, the state Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service said: “An attempt by some hoodlums to break into the convoy of the custodial bus conveying high profile inmates, which include AbdulAzeez Adegbola (Tani Olohun), to the court led to the incident.”

A statement issued by the service signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adegbulugbe Phillip Olumide, also said: “This resulted in a pandemonium which saw the NCC vehicle damaged, shattered and battered.”

However, an eyewitness account told journalists in Ilorin yesterday that the incident occurred when the driver of the vehicle attempted to make a sharp turn but miscalculated and rammed into a shop where several people were injured among the bystanders.

A food vendor and mother of two victims, Mrs. Hajara, explained that she was serving her customers when the prison vehicle unexpectedly ploughed into her two children. Both of her children were rushed to the hospital with critical injuries.

She said: “My daughter and one of my sons are currently in the hospital in critical condition in this kind of economic situation, even as we are unable to afford the necessary medical care.

“I implore the government to prioritise the well-being of our children, especially considering that it was a government security agency that targeted and harmed both of my children.”

 Also, one of the survivors of the incident, Mr. Khalidi, who narrowly escaped death, queried the rationale behind the over-speeding of the prison officials and the location of a prison facility in a residential area.

The Public Relations Officer, Olumide, also said: “Two of the custodial vehicles which managed to secure their passage was again waylaid and attacked at Niger Road junction. The personnel of the NCC were able to maneuver their way to the court.”

“However, those who sustained injuries have been moved to the hospital for medical attention and are responding to treatment. No live was lost so far.”