C’River deputy governor’s convoy crashes, several injured

…Odey unhurt — Press Secretary

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

CALABAR — The convoy of the Cross River State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Odey, was on Sunday involved in an accident along the Ikom-Calabar highway near Ugep, headquarters of Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred while the deputy governor and members of his entourage were returning to Calabar from Obanliku Local Government Area, where they had attended an official engagement.

The Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr Fred Abua, who confirmed the incident to Vanguard, said the press crew vehicle and a Hilux in the convoy were affected.

According to him, the accident occurred after the brakes of the press crew vehicle failed, forcing the driver to veer off the road.

Abua, however, said the vehicle conveying the deputy governor was not directly involved in the accident, adding that Odey was unhurt.

He said: “Only the press crew vehicle and a Hilux were affected. The brakes of the press crew vehicle failed and the driver veered off the road.”

However, several members of the convoy were reportedly injured in the accident.

Another source told Vanguard that the Government House press bus, which was conveying appointees and staff of the Office of the Deputy Governor, veered off its lane near an Army checkpoint in Ugep and rammed into sandbag barricades.

The source also attributed the accident to brake failure, adding that other vehicles in the convoy were damaged.

The extent of the injuries and damage could not be independently verified as of press time.

Efforts to reach other officials for further details were unsuccessful.