The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has described as tragic and saddening the loss of lives of two policemen in the accident involving his convoy at Essene Junction in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on June 1, 2017.
Mr Ekere expressed his grief when he received the two wives and family members of Sgt. Haruna Usman and Sgt Aminu Abdulahi Haruna, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Mr. Ekere had invited them to his office to personally convey his and the Commission’s regrets at the “unfortunate incident”.
Commiserating with the widows, Hauwa Ibrahim and Rukayatu Aminu, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer assured them of the support of the Commission. “I want to convey my deepest condolences to you and your families.”
He added: “Let me assure you that you are not alone in this grief. We share your grief and we will neither leave you alone nor behind. Your loss is our loss. We cannot replace life, but what we can do is to support you to make the pains of the terrible loss less painful.”
Ekere told the families that the whole country was united in grief, stating that the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, showed a lot of concern when he was briefed on the accident. “I commend the Acting President for that solidarity and care for the lives of other Nigerians,” Ekere said.
Ekere disclosed that the other policemen injured in the accident have since been released from hospital.
The Area Commander Port Harcourt Metropolis, ACP Mohammed Shehu Dalijan, who accompanied the widows to NDDC, thanked the Managing Director for showing compassion with the families of the victims, as well as showing solidarity with the police.
“We are very happy with you for the support and compassion you have shown the families of our dead men. Since this sad incident you have been there for them, right from the hospital,” he said.