Three police officers, civilians burnt to death in bullion van accident in Kebbi

Six people, including three police officers, have died as a result of an inferno involving a bullion van and five other vehicles in Kebbi.

The accident occurred on Wednesday along the Argungu-Birnin Kebbi road.

Nafiu Abubakar, Kebbi police spokesperson, said the incident occurred when a vehicle conveying jerry cans containing petrol collided with the bullion van.

Abubakar said the vehicle was suspected to have been pursued by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

“The accident occurred when a Carina E car, carrying jerry cans of PMS was suspected to have been pursued by a Nigeria Customs Service patrol team from Birnin Kebbi,” the spokesperson said.

“On getting to Jeda village, the Carina E car had a head-on collision with the Bullion van, as a result, bursting into flames and consumed three other cars.

“Consequently, a total of five vehicles and one motorcycle burnt to ashes, six people including three policemen also died in the inferno.

“While five other people, three policemen sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kebbi, for medical attention.

“On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Ahmed Magaji Kontagora swiftly rushed to the scene where he condoled with the families of the deceased and prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the lives of the departed souls an eternal rest and give their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“CP Ahmed Magaji Kontagora is also assuring members of the public that, a thorough investigation will be carried out to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.”