Truck Crushes Nigerian Air Force Personnel To Death In Kwara

An officer of the Nigerian Air Force has reportedly died in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, after a moving truck rammed into him and others while on duty.

Reports obtained by Naija News revealed that the force men were on duty when the truck with failed brakes slammed into them and crushed one LCPL Giselle Nanpon, to death immediately.

Another officer, LCPL Yahaya Ayuba, reportedly escaped death but sustained a spinal cord injury in the accident that occurred in the Eyenkorin area, a suburb of Ilorin, the state capital.

It was said that the truck driver attempted to escape the scene after seeing that one of the officers died but was apprehended.

According to PM News, another source told its correspondent that two Air Force officers died in the accident.

An eyewitness who identified himself as Alhaji Pasa reportedly told the journalists that the officers were on duty when the truck crushed two of them and injured another Air force personnel.

According to him, the truck driver was shot in the legs by other officers around after he attempted to escape the scene. The incident caused tension between the Air Force personnel and residents of the community.

The Kwara Secretary of the Community Policing Advisory Committee, Alhaji Shola Muse, however, told reporters that efforts were being made to restore normalcy in the area.

According to media reports, Muse had called the police command to go to the place to avert any breakdown of law and order because of the brewing tension.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has described the incident as tragic and painful.

The governor regretted the death of the officer and injury to the other. In a letter of sympathy signed by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the state governor said: “Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commiserated with the authorities of the Nigerian Air Force on the death of LCPL Goselle Nanpon who was killed by a truck driver at a security point in Ilorin, Kwara State.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the highest echelon of the Nigerian Air Force and to the families affected. It was indeed a regrettable tragedy and one occupational hazard too many.

“That incident again underpins the need for citizens to show due respect to the security operatives for the weight of sacrifices they make in the course of keeping our country safe. We truly appreciate them and regret the huge loss of an officer and a serious injury to the other,” SaharaReporters quotes the governor saying.

The governor said a delegation of government officials is being dispatched to visit the families of the officers as a mark of respect for their service and sacrifices.

“We pray the Almighty God to grant speedy recovery to the injured officer and repose the soul of LCPL Goselle Nanpon and comfort his family,” the statement added.