Pastor, wife, friend die in fatal road crash

A couple living in Bauchi, Kenneth Azifo, his wife Sandra and their colleague, Badamasi, popularly known as Baddo, have died in a lone fatal crash that involved the car they were traveling in.

Azifo is a Cameroonian-born pastor.

The deceased, who were working with Gino Company, were said to have been traveling to Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State for an official assignment when the incident happened.

A source who didn’t want to be mentioned confirmed the incident, adding that the deceased pastor hailed from Cameron while his wife was Idoma from Benue State.

She said that the late pastor, who was also a French teacher with a private school in Bauchi was recently engaged on a part-time basis with Gino Company, along with his wife.

She said that the deceased persons were traveling for a “promo activation” when the incident happened, adding that they were four in the vehicle, three of them died except the driver who survived.

“I have known the couple for a long time; they got married some few years before us. We used to attend the same church before they later left. I haven’t seen them for a long time until yesterday [Friday] just hours before their unfortunate death.

“I saw them yesterday at the central market and I even hugged his wife tightly. We greeted and chatted for a short while and they told me that they were going to Azare for promo activation for their company, Gino.

“They went on Thursday and came back that same day. They were going back on Friday to continue with the promo activation when the accident occurred,” she said.

She said that the pastor initially survived the crash and was rushed to the hospital but after about 45 minutes, he died; while his wife and their other colleague died on the spot.

She said that the corpses of the couple were brought back at about 6 pm and deposited at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi mortuary, while that of the third person was taken away by his relatives for immediate burial according to Islamic rites.

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp, Bauchi State, Yusuf Abdullahi, confirmed the crash in a telephone conversation.

He said the crash occurred at 2.34pm on Friday, along Darazo-Kari road, 21 kilometers from the Darazo FRSC office.

He said that the crash involved a private car, Citroen Wagon, with number plate: BAU 569 AA, red in colour, which was driven by one Moses Kefas.

Abdullahi said that the crash was caused by wrongful overtaking.

“The driver overtook a vehicle and after he went back to his lane, he lost control and then veered off the road and crashed,” he stated, adding that the victims were conveyed to General Hospital Darazo for medical attention and confirmation.

He said that the sum of N21, 000 cash was recovered from the scene of the crash.

Courtesy (excluding headline) The PUNCH