Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and his deputy, Chief Steven Lawani, were involved in a ghastly road accident on Friday in which eight people were injured.The accident came a day before the governor’s 50th birthday which holds today.The governor’s official vehicle in which he was travelling and his spare vehicle were directly affected by the impact of the crash. The two officials who were in the same vehicle escaped unhurt.
According to the Tribune ,It was gathered that the governor and his deputy were on their way to an official assignment in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area and Gboko when the accident occurred.
According to an eyewitness, an oncoming vehicle which overtook another vehicle lost control, sommersaulted, then hit the spare vehicle of the governor as well as the vehicle in which both the governor and his deputy were travelling.
The accident happened at Angbaaye, a few kilometres after Makurdi, the state capital.
The governor’s spare vehicle was badly damaged while the impact of the accident on the on coming vehicle was very severe.
Both the governor and his deputy however rushed to rescue the victims in the oncoming vehicle who were believed to be traders heading to Makurdi.
Governor Suswam, who detailed some top government officials to take the injured persons to the hospital in Makurdi, however, proceeded to Gboko where he flagged off road project, while his deputy alighted at Tarka Local Government where he flagged off tree planting project.
The eight people who were injured were rushed to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, for medical attention.
As a follow up to the governor’s 50th birthday ceremony which holds today, he has also scheduled a thanksgiving ceremony for tomorrow, at Aper Aku Stadium. President Goodluck Jonathan is expected at the ceremony.