Two police officers of the Borno State Command, Nigeria Police Force, identified as Godiya and PC Kubra lost their lives while 17 others sustained various degrees of injuries in an auto crash.

SaharaReporters gathered that the accident occurred along Jos axis, Plateau State on Monday while the police officers were on their way to Akwa Ibom State for the upcoming 13th Biennial Police Games, UYO 2022.

When contacted, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sani Kamilu Shatambaya, confirmed the incident.

In confirmation, the police spokesperson sent to SaharaReporters, said, “The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, regrets the unfortunate incident that occurred to the police delegation representing Zone 15 comprising Borno and Yobe states police command on their way to participate in the Biannual Police Games 2022 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“The said fatal motor vehicle accident occurred at Hawan Kibo, Plateau State axis and was attributed to mechanical brake failure which led to the death of two female police constables and 17 others sustained various degree of injury

“The personnel who lost their lives and injured victims were conveyed back to Maiduguri. A befitting burial was conducted and the injured are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals in Maiduguri, and also promised to link up with the remaining participants in Uyo on Wednesday.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Abdu Umar, who led a delegation of the management team of Borno state command commiserated with the families of the deceased officers and equally used the opportunity to wish the injured personnel quick recovery and also prayed for the remaining team members that continued with their journey to participate in the ongoing IGP Biennial Police Games journey mercies to and fro.

“He finally urged the families of the departed souls to bear with the irreparable loss, especially at this trying time.”

The police games are scheduled to take place in Uyo from 23rd to 30th November 2022.

The week-long historic sporting event is expected to be declared open by the Special Guest of Honour, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Over 4500 male and female police athletes drawn from the 17 Zonal Commands and the Force Headquarters will feature and compete in several indoor and outdoor sporting activities which include athletics, football, basketball, table tennis, lawn tennis, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting, golf, chess, squash, shooting, karate, swimming, hockey, badminton, triathlon, handball amongst other sporting events.