Three people, including a 17-year-old girl, were killed on Friday when a presidential convoy vehicle lost control and slammed into structures at Obogoro on the approach to the Dr Goodluck Jonathan Bridge in Bayelsa State.
The tragic incident occurred during President Bola Tinubu’s one-day working visit to the state to commission some projects executed by Governor Douye Diri.
SaharaReporters learnt that the convoy was en route to the Angiama-Oporoma Bridge when the accident occurred.
According to eyewitnesses, the last vehicle in the presidential convoy suddenly veered off the road and crashed into a mechanic workshop and other nearby structures.
The car was eventually stopped by concrete slabs left behind by Julius Berger after the construction of the Jonathan Bridge.
Immediately after the crash, security operatives whisked the driver of the accident vehicle away from the scene. When the crowd initially resisted and attempted to get closer, police fired teargas to disperse them.
The victims comprised a 17-year-old girl and two adult males. Their bodies were recovered from the scene amid rising tension in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released by the Bayelsa State Police Command.
In a related development, SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Nigerian Navy confirmed the arrest of personnel involved in a public altercation with fellow military officers in Bayelsa State during the visit of President Bola Tinubu on Friday.
The development follows the emergence of a viral video showing uniformed personnel engaged in a heated confrontation, drawing widespread reactions.
The incident, which has since gone viral, was captured in a 53-second video showing a heated confrontation between uniformed personnel.
In the footage, a driver of a Hilux vehicle marked “Naval Police” is seen stepping out of his vehicle and exchanging words with another driver.
Moments later, after returning to his vehicle, a soldier carrying a rifle approached and threw a punch at the Naval Police driver, sparking a chaotic brawl.
The situation quickly degenerated into a free-for-all, with personnel attached to both vehicles exchanging blows as stunned civilians looked on in disbelief.
The clash occurred as the President was leaving the venue of an official event during his visit to the state.
However, the cause of the altercation could not be immediately determined as of press time.
Reacting to the incident in a post via his X handle on Saturday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abi Folorunso, confirmed that those involved have been taken into custody and are undergoing disciplinary procedures.
“The affected personnel are in custody and already undergoing appropriate administrative and disciplinary procedures in accordance with extant military regulations,” he wrote........…