Tragic Auto Accident Claims Lives of Four Nigeria Immigration Service Personnel

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Nigeria Immigration Service Launches Investigation into Fatal Auto Accident that Claimed Lives of Personnel

The acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Caroline Adepoju, has taken swift action by ordering an immediate investigation into the cause of a tragic auto accident that occurred on Sunday, resulting in the loss of at least four personnel of the service. The NIS Public Relations Officer, Dr Dotun Aridegbe, revealed that seven injured personnel are currently receiving treatment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, while burial arrangements are being made for the departed individuals.

Addressing journalists at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, Dr Dotun Aridegbe stated that the acting Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs Caroline Adepoju, expressed deep grief over the loss and personally extended her condolences and support to the families of the deceased. As a mark of respect, the CGI declared three days of mourning and ordered that flags be flown at half-mast in all NIS commands nationwide.

In response to the tragic incident, the Acting CG has initiated an immediate investigation to determine the root cause of the accident. Dr Aridegbe emphasized the NIS’s commitment to understanding the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and implementing appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

According to a report by The PUNCH, the accident involved a Nissan 18-seater bus with the plate number ‘Immigration HQ, 1001S,’ which was transporting members of the service’s musical band from Kano to Abuja. The vehicle lost control after experiencing a tire burst along the Kano-Zaria Expressway on Sunday morning. The bus had been transporting the crew who had accompanied the acting Comptroller-General of Immigration to Kano State for the Presidential Commissioning and Passing Out Parade of the 48th Superintendent Basic Course 2023 at the Immigration Training School in Kano on Saturday.

Confirming the casualties, Dr Aridegbe disclosed that the accident claimed the lives of four individuals, including the bus driver, two brothers who sustained fatal head injuries, and an officer from the Public Relations Unit identified as Francis. Providing further details of the incident, the Service Spokesperson stated, “Yesterday, a group of eleven of our personnel were returning to Abuja from an official assignment in Kano in an 18-seater official bus. Tragically, they were involved in a ghastly accident a few kilometers from Kano. As a result, four of our personnel lost their lives. This has been a deeply distressing and sorrowful moment for all of us within the Nigeria Immigration Service.”

Dr Aridegbe expressed the Service’s concern for the seven colleagues who sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano. He conveyed the NIS’s thoughts and prayers for their swift and complete recovery, adding that this incident has prompted a time of deep reflection for the entire Nigeria Immigration Service family.

In recognition of the loss suffered by the NIS, the Acting CGI has directed all Commands and Formation Heads to fly the national flag at half-mast for the next seven days. Additionally, a three-day mourning period has been instituted to honor and remember the fallen colleagues. The Service has also reached out to the families of the deceased, assuring them that arrangements for the burials are being organized with utmost care and respect.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks and sacrifices that personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service face while carrying out their duties. The NIS will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of its personnel and implement measures to prevent such accidents in the future, ensuring that those left behind by their breadwinners receive the necessary support during this distressing period..