By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Six persons, including three Police officers and three civilians, lost their lives in a head-on collision between a car and a billion van along Argungu-Birnin Kebbi road in Kebbi State which left five vehicles and a motorcycle burnt to ashes. Five persons, it was learnt, suffered varying degrees of injuries and have been taken to the hospital for medical attention.

Sources said the car, loaded with petrol, was trying to evade arrest by detachment of a patrol team of operatives of the Nigerian Custom Service which was giving the car a hot chase before it collided with the bullion van.

SP Nafiu Abubakar Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kebbi State Police Command, while confirming the incident in a statement on Wednesday, said the fatal accident occurred on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, as the vehicles burst into flames after the accident.

“There was a fatal motor vehicle accident/fire incident along Argungu/Birnin Kebbi road, involving a Bank Bullion van belonging to Ecobank and four other motor vehicles and a motor cycle.

“The accident occurred when a Carina E car, carrying jerricans of PMS was suspected to have been pursued by a Nigeria Custom Service patrol team from Birnin Kebbi.

“On getting to Jeda village, the Carina E car had a head on collusion with the Bullion van, as a result of the impact, the vehicles burst 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 who sustained various degrees of injuries 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 condole 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, please,” the statement added.