By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Gombe State Police Command has debunked reports that the convoy of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya ran over a teenager and led to her death.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Obed Mary Malum, dated Thursday March 10, 2022.
“The attention of Gombe State Police Command has been drawn to a malicious write-up posted on social media platform authored by one Ibrahim Yusuf under the aegis of the Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (ANGO) in Gombe State over the alleged “the reckless killing of Rahab Hassan ‘f’ 16years old by the Governor’s Convoy last week in Kumo Town”.
“The Command under the pragmatic leadership of CP. Ishola B. Babaita Psc FDMSS has always been apolitical and exhibits a high level of professionalism in the discharge of our statutory duties by respecting the rights of citizens for freedom of expression and as the clock ticks towards general election 2023,” it said.
The Police said that it would not like to be drawn to political circus, however, it is germane to put the records straight and correct the erroneous impression been floated to cause disaffection between the good people of Gombe State and the Government.
“The fact of the case is that on 2nd March, 2022 at about 1230hrs, a case of serious motor vehicle/pedestrian accident was reported at Akko Divisional Police Headquarters involving a Sharon golf vehicle with registration number AKK 800 XA along Gombe/Yola road driven by one Abubakar Umar, male, adult, age 26 years old of Jauro Jatau village via Akko who was coming from Gombe heading towards Jalingo Taraba State at the point of accident, a student of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Kumo, by name Rahab Hassan ‘f’, age 16 years, was about to cross the road when a driver who was on excessive speed knocked down the victim where she sustained serious injuries.
“On receipt of the report, team of Motor Traffic Division (MTD) Personnel led by the Divisional Traffic Officer ASP Yakubu Twan mobilized to the scene of accident and carried First Step Action of moving the victim to General Hospital Kumo for treatment and later referred to Specialist Hospital Gombe for further treatment. “The victim was certified dead while on admission, and the corpse was deposited at a morgue for autopsy. Meanwhile, the vehicle involved in the accident was removed from obstruction to Police Station for VIO Inspection and report. The sketch map of scene of accident was drawn and voluntary statement of the witnesses obtained. The driver who took to his heels after the accident, was later arrested and taken to Police custody.
“Based on the evidence deduced and the expert opinion of the VIO, a prima facie case of failure to report accident, driving without due care and attention, excessive speeding and causing death by dangerous driving contrary to sec. 65, 21, 22 and 23 of the Road Traffic Act (RTA). The suspect was arraigned at Chief Magistrate Court (CMC) Kumo on 3/3/2022 for prosecution and remanded in correctional centre Billiri, while the duplicate case file sent to DPP for legal advice,” the statement explained.
It pointed out that, “In view of the facts highlighted above, the command wishes to sincerely commiserate with the parents of the deceased student over the unfortunate accident.
“It is however, glaring that the unfortunate accident occurred on the 2nd March, 2022 at about 1230 hours while His Excellency Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Governor of Gombe State, who was on official engagement in Kumo, Akko LGA on the same date and arrived at about 1500 hours at Kumo town.
“It is therefore insidious to claim that the Governor’s convoy “killed’ Rahab Hassan, a student of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Kumo.
“In fact, it is the pro-activeness of the police that led to the immediate arrest of the driver who ran away from the scene after the accident. The harbingers of fake news could have had a field day to change the narrative from their parochial prism.”
The Police said that the author ought to have obtained the facts of the matter, before jumping to conclusion based on figment of imagination.
“In conclusion, the command will not be distracted from its constitutional mandate of protection of lives and properties of all Gombe indigenes and visitors alike.
“The door of the Commissioner of Police, Gombe Command is opened for clarification on any issues bordering on public interest please,” it assured.
