Patience Jonathan, Dickson mourn Bayelsa SSG’s wife, others

Bayelsa state has been thrown into mourning as at least 11 female supporters of Nigeria’s first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan lost their lives in a ghastly auto crash that occurred on Saturday night, February 14.

According to Premium Times report, the women were returning from Okrika in Rivers state where they had gone to pay a two-day a solidarity visit to the first lady.

The coaster bus in which the women were travelling bore the  inscription of  “Women For Change Initiative”, a  pseudo-political NGO promoted by First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

It was learnt that the accident which happened at the Ahoada axis of East-West road in Rivers state occurred when the tyre of an oncoming Toyota Sienna van exploded and rammed into the bus carrying the women, a situation that led to the bus going up in flames.

Confirming the accident, the Bayelsa Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission Mr. Vincent Jack said nine persons died in the flames that engulfed the vehicle while two died without burns.

Many others who sustained injuries are receiving treatment at Madonna clinic in the area.

Those who perished in the crash include, Mrs. Clara Abila, a grassroots politician, Mrs. Immaculate Amasimua former Commissioner Civil Service Commission Bayelsa, Mr. Elisabeth Oguru wife of the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government.

Others are Mrs Zimbra Goma former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Ruby Benjamin former House of Assembly Member representing Brass Constituency 1 in Bayelsa amongst others.