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Bello Alhassan, Kaduna
DAILY COURIER - The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has expressed shock and sadness over the tragic death of five police officers in a road accident.
The officers, who were returning from an official assignment in Edo State, lost their lives on the Kano-Zaria Road in Karfi town.
In a condolence visit to Bichi town, Kano, on Saturday, Ganduje addressed the bereaved families and the wider community.
“We are here not for celebrations but for condolence, to sympathize with the families, the IGP, and the entire Kano of those that died while returning from a national assignment,” said Ganduje, adding that the accident, which occurred two weeks ago, was a devastating loss not only for the police but for the nation as a whole.
The APC Chairman further emphasised that it has always been the tradition of their party and his government to stand by families in moments of grief, providing comfort and support.
“We make them feel that they are not alone in this sad moment,” he remarked.
Five police officers were reported dead on the spot, while 10 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Describing the tragic incident as a “sad moment,” Ganduje praised the officers for their bravery in the line of duty.
“I decided to personally come down to Bichi because of the enormity of the death, and because the officers gallantly died in active national service.”
In a gesture of support, Ganduje personally donated ₦2 million to the families of the five deceased officers, while the injured officers were given ₦1 million each.
Also present at the condolence visit was the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“The incident personally touched me, and I feel the pain of those who died and left their families behind,” Abubakar said. “As a member of this Federal Constituency, I see the death as that which is of my family, and I took it personally.”
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf also joined in offering condolences to the families of the fallen officers.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf expressed profound sadness over the tragic event.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Kano, I pray for Almighty Allah to grant the departed souls eternal rest in Jannatul Firdausi and for a speedy recovery for the injured,” the statement read.
The governor visited the Bichi Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force to commiserate with the families, and he also provided financial support.
Accompanied by top government officials, I visited the Bichi Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force to commiserate with families and the Police Force over the passing of five police personnel in a tragic motor accident.
The incident happened in Karfi town along the Kano-Zaria… pic.twitter.com/0srE8KnKUl
— Abba Kabir Yusuf (@Kyusufabba) September 29, 2024
“Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has donated five hundred thousand naira to each of the families of the five deceased personnel and two hundred and fifty thousand naira to each of the eleven injured personnel,” the statement added.
The accident, which claimed the lives of the five officers attached to the Bichi Area Command, occurred as they were returning from Edo State after the recently concluded governorship election.
