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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
An advance rider attached to the convoy of Governor Francis Nwifuru has been injured.
The advance rider, who is currently receiving treatment in hospital, was injured on Wednesday when a vehicle rammed into the convoy of the Ebonyi State governor.
Security officials attached to the convoy destroyed the windscreen of the vehicle, arrested its occupants and impounded it.
A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
The Governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Leo Oketa, described the incident as unfortunate.
He appealed to all road users to remain vigilant, obey lawful traffic directives and show patience whenever they encounter ambulances, fire service vehicles, security convoys or any authorised emergency response vehicle to avoid such occurrences.
Oketa said, “The attention of the Ebonyi State Government has been drawn to a video circulating on social media showing an unfortunate incident involving a member of the Governor’s convoy.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident. We wish the injured advance rider a full and speedy recovery and are grateful that no lives were lost.
“While the video has generated considerable public reaction, it is important to recognise that short clips shared on social media often capture only a fraction of an event and may not present the full sequence of what transpired.
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“We therefore urge the public to exercise restraint and avoid reaching conclusions until all the facts are known. Beyond this particular incident, it is important to understand why official convoys and emergency response vehicles operate the way they do.
“Whether it is an ambulance rushing a patient to the hospital, a fire service vehicle responding to an emergency, a security convoy protecting public officials, or other authorised emergency responders, every second can be critical.
“These services exist to preserve life, maintain public safety, and ensure the continuity of essential government and emergency operations.
“For this reason, the law requires motorists to obey lawful traffic directions given by police officers and other authorised traffic officials.
“Advance riders and convoy personnel are deployed to warn road users, secure intersections where necessary, and create a safe passage – not only for the principal but also to minimise the risk of accidents involving the convoy and members of the public.
“The safety of every road user remains paramount. Cooperation with emergency and security personnel is not merely a legal obligation; it is a civic responsibility that helps prevent avoidable tragedies and enables life-saving and security operations to be carried out safely.
“His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru has consistently maintained that professionalism, respect for the rule of law, and the protection of human life must guide public service. Those values remain unchanged.
“As the circumstances surrounding this incident continue to be reviewed, we appeal to all road users to remain vigilant, obey lawful traffic directives, and show patience whenever they encounter ambulances, fire service vehicles, security convoys, or any authorised emergency response vehicle.
“A few moments of caution and cooperation can save lives. Let us all remember that road safety is a shared responsibility. Every life matters.”
