On Thursday, many people, including commercial motorcycle operators, traders and passengers, secured varying degrees of injury when a Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) bus rammed into them at the popular Oja Oba market in the state capital.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the incident, which happened in the mid-morning, saw the (NCS) bus conveying some suspects to court, losing control before ramming into people, leaving them injured and others scampering for safety.
However, in a statement titled, ‘Suspected hoodlums suspected attempted to free inmates,’ signed by the public relations officer (PRO) of the Kwara state command of the NCS, Superintendent of Corrections ADEGBULUGBE PHILLIP OLUMIDE, said that “at about 09:14 am on Thursday, some hoodlums in a premeditated move at Ọja Oba roundabout, boisterously made a tumultuous attempt to broke into the convoy of the custodial vehicles conveying high profile inmates, which include, AbdulAzeez Adegbola (Tani Olohun) to the court.
“This resulted in a pandemonium that damaged, shattered and battered the Correctional vehicle.
These obviously led to injuries sustained by both Okada riders and some of the custodial personnel. Two custodial vehicles that managed to secure their passage were again waylaid and attacked at Niger Road Junction. The Correctional service personnel were able to manoeuvre their way to the court.
“However, those who sustained injuries have been moved to the hospital for medical attention and are responding to treatment. NO LIVE WAS LOST SO FAR.
“The Nigerian correctional service appreciates all sister agencies for synergy demonstrated, we also assure the public of a harmonious relationship at all times”.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the incident caused pandemonium, as an angry mob broke the window glasses of the bus.
It was also gathered from sources at the scene of the accident that the Coastal Bus, with the colour of the Correctional Service, was driving against traffic.
Some of the eyewitnesses spoken with said that the bus was coming from the Oke-Kura correctional service location at high speed and injured many people, especially the commercial motorcycle operators (okada riders), petty traders as well as passers-by.
It was gathered that two unidentified persons were critically injured and taken to the hospital.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the development.
“Yes, we are aware. We are on it and will give details as soon as we finish the investigation.”
