Multiple deaths feared as Nigerian Prisons vehicle crashes during inmate transport
Multiple deaths feared as Nigerian Prisons vehicle crashes during inmate transport
Three people are feared dead with others injured following an accident on Thursday that involved a Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) vehicle at Isale-Oja Oba, Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to SaharaReporters, the NCoS vehicle was conveying inmates to court from the prison facility at Okekura, Ilorin when the accident occurred.
It is unclear how many were injured or why the crash happened.
Photographs from the scene uploaded by an eyewitness, Idris AbdulGaniy Yinka, show the NCoS vehicle extensively damaged, with broken windows and a shattered rear windshield.
Yinka said at least four people had been confirmed dead and others injured.
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He wrote: “This morning at Isale-oja, Ilorin, Nigerian Correctional Service vehicle involved in accident. Four reportedly dead, other injured. The place is crowded and scary for now. I am seriously scared to take pictures. The attached pictures were taken on Facebook.
“I was there not told, I just left the place for my program at GRA Area, Ilorin.
“May Allah forgive all the victims.”
State police spokesman, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident but said the number of casualties could not yet be determined.
He noted that some people were saying up to three or four people were killed but insisted that he would wait and get an update from those involved in the accident.
The spokesman for the NCoS, Abubakar Umar, an Assistant Controller of the Corps said an investigation was ongoing to find the cause of the “ugly incident”.
He added that a press statement would be released soon, revealing the accurate number of fatalities and injured persons.
NCoS, formerly known as the Nigerian Prison Service, is a government agency in charge of prisons across the country.