A tragic accident took the life of 35-year-old Patience Ashenenye, when a policeman reportedly crashed into the commercial motorcycle she was riding with her three-month-old son.
The accident, which took place behind Ta’al Conference Hotel near the School of Health, left both Ashenenye and the motorcycle rider, Tasiu Mohammed, injured, while her son suffered a broken leg.
Ashenenye died shortly after arriving at the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital.
Two days later, the family reported that two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) visited them to offer N100,000 for Ashenenye’s burial expenses.
Her family, however, rejected the sum, stating they were only interested in justice for her untimely death.
Speaking with Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ, Ashenenye’s brother George Akube alleged the officer responsible was speeding in a government-owned Hilux vehicle.
“The policeman survived, but my sister did not. Her son is now in the hospital with a broken leg,” Akube said.
Nasarawa State Police Command spokesman Ramhan Nansel stated that while the police have launched an investigation, the officer involved was hospitalized due to shock.
Nansel, in a statement, expressed condolences to the family, adding that the N100,000 offer aimed to alleviate medical expenses.
The Command has since pledged to cover all medical costs for those injured in the crash.
Police Commissioner Umar Shehu Nadada conveyed sympathies to the Ashenenye family, stating that the Command would seek justice.
The spokesperson, Nansel, however, did not confirm if the officer would face prosecution, noting the investigation is ongoing.
