Suswam, deputy escape death in ghastly auto crash

ON the eve of his 50 birthday celebration Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam’s convoy was yesterday involved in a ghastly accident, with the governor narrowly escaping death.

A fully loaded red passenger bus had a head on collision with the governor’s back-up vehicle. The official vehicle in which he was travelling with to Asunkunya and Gboko for an official function was also damaged.

His deputy, Chief Steven Lawani, was also on the convoy.

The incident occurred at Angbaaye village along Makurdi-Gboko federal highway, shortly before the NAF Base in Makurdi.

An eyewitness who identified himself as Terna Tor, said the passenger bus was on top speed from the opposite direction and was trying to overtake another vehicle. It almost  hit the governor ‘s car but for the tactical manoeuvre of the back-up vehicle.

Tor said the back-up vehicle, in an effort to protect the governor, had a head on collision with the commercial, summersaulted three times and hit a tree in the bush.

The back of the car was badly damaged while the security details sustained serious Injuries and were taken to NAF hospital for treatment.

The driver of the bus, and  that of another Toyota passenger car sustained serious injuries.

Governor Suswam and his deputy, Chief Steven Lawani, stopped and ordered that those who were injured be taken taken to NAF Hospital before he continued with his journey to Asunkunya to flag off this  year’s tree planting campaign and attended another function in Gboko.

With his official car also damaged, he continued the journey in another car.

In a telephone interview with The Nation, Governor Suswam said: “I’m hale and hearty and looking forward to Super Eagles victory against Congo in Point Noire, which will serve as a perfect birthday gift.

Governor Suswam clocked 50 years today.

source: thenationonlineng.net