3 journalists die in auto crash involving Gov Adams Oshiomhole's convoy

Three journalists have been confirmed dead in an auto crash this afternoon involving the convoy of the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to Oshiomhole, Tony Iyare, said the news men were those with the African Independent Television and Independent Television. While a staff of AIT died, two who work with ITV lost their lives.


Iyare said in the statement titled: Oshiomhole’s convoy in road mishap: "Three journalists died while several others including security details were injured when a tipper lorry rammed into the convoy of Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

"The accident occurred about 12.45pm, shortly after the convoy which was coming from an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) rally in Afuze, passed Warrake, located in Owan East Local Government Area of the state.
"The incident happened when the lorry lost control, veering off its track and heading straight for the Governor’s car missing it by the whiskers.

"It later hit the Toyota Land Cruiser conveying security details which immediately somersaulted. The lorry also hit the bus conveying the Government House Press Crew.

"The three journalists – two from Independent Television (ITV) and one from African Independent Television (AIT) lost their lives. Several other journalists and security details who sustained various degrees of injuries are now being treated at Otibhokhai Specialist Hospital, Irrua and Central Hospital, Benin City.

"Oshiomhole, visibly shaken by the unfortunate event personally supervised the ferrying of the casualties to the hospital. He later paid condolence visits to the bereaved families. The planned rally to kick off Oshiomhole’s campaign in Edo South Senatorial Zone scheduled for Saturday was put off as a result of the incident.