A horrific accident on Thursday afternoon has claimed the lives of three police officers and a female suspect in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The tragic incident occurred when a truck lost control while descending the Ore Bridge, slamming into a police vehicle in the process. The victims, including three policemen and a female suspect, died instantly on the spot.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud crash before rushing to the scene, only to discover the devastating loss of lives. The police vehicle, which was carrying the officers and the suspect, had been on a mission to make an arrest in the area.
An anonymous eyewitness described the moment: “The truck lost control on the Ore Bridge and crashed into the police vehicle in front of it. It happened so fast, and the noise from the crash was deafening.”
The three policemen, all members of the Monitoring Unit of the Ondo State Police Command, were returning from Akure, the state capital, where they had been stationed. Their mission was to arrest the female suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed. Sadly, the truck’s violent impact crushed the police vehicle, ending the lives of the officers and the suspect.
The eyewitness continued: “When we reached the scene, the police officers were already lifeless, and the suspect was also confirmed dead. The one remaining officer was severely injured and quickly taken to the hospital.”
The female suspect, whose role in the case remains unclear, was also a casualty in the crash. Her death, alongside the police officers, marks a sad and unfortunate turn of events in what was supposed to be a routine operation.
The incident has left the community in shock. Residents expressed disbelief and sorrow as the news of the deaths spread quickly through the town. Many have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, noting the heavy toll the incident has taken on the local police force and the wider community.
Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the accident and assured the public that a thorough investigation would follow. She also acknowledged the grief felt by the police command over the loss of the officers.
“The command is deeply saddened by the loss of our officers and the suspect involved,” she said. “We are currently investigating the cause of the accident, and we will issue a more detailed response soon.”
The officers who died were part of the Monitoring Unit, a special team within the Ondo State Police Command tasked with overseeing specific law enforcement operations across the state. The female suspect they were attempting to arrest had been identified as a person of interest, though no further details on her charges have been released at this time.
As the community begins to process the loss, questions surrounding the accident remain. The truck, which caused the crash, was reportedly descending the Ore Bridge when it lost control, skidding into the police vehicle. The exact cause of the truck’s loss of control is still under investigation, though reports suggest the heavy load or mechanical failure could have contributed to the crash.
The police officer who survived the incident has been rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he is said to be receiving treatment for serious injuries. His condition is still being monitored, and authorities have not yet provided an update on his health status.
Authorities from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are also involved in the investigation and have pledged to release a full report on the accident soon. The FRSC is expected to provide more information regarding the truck’s condition and the circumstances that led to the tragic collision.
The families of the fallen officers are left in mourning, and the police force has vowed to ensure that proper support is provided to the bereaved families during this difficult time. Tributes have started pouring in from colleagues, friends, and members of the public, expressing their grief over the untimely deaths of the officers.
This accident highlights the ongoing challenges with road safety in Ondo State and across Nigeria. Despite numerous efforts by local authorities to improve road safety, accidents involving trucks, particularly on bridges, continue to occur with alarming frequency. In response to the incident, experts are calling for stricter regulations regarding the maintenance of commercial vehicles, especially those plying busy routes like the Ore Bridge.
