From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday survived a crash, as bullion vans belonging to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rammed into his convoy on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
According to a release by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Adejuwon Soyinka, the accident occurred around Ibafo area on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, while the governor was traveling to Lagos for an official assignment.
The SSA said the bullion vans were driving dangerously in a convoy also and attempted to overtake the governor’s motorcade, but were warned.
The statement said: “On sensing danger, however, the governor’s escort commander used a public address system mounted on his vehicle to warn the CBN convoy to desist from reckless driving.
“Not only was the governor’s escort commander ignored, the CBN convoy drivers went ahead to crush his vehicle and subsequently went after other vehicles in the governor’s convoy, including the governor’s official car, before they were brought to a halt by the security team attached to the governor.
“This is not the first time the governor would have cause to personally caution reckless CBN convoy drivers in Ogun State. On several occasions, the Ogun State governor had to personally turn back reckless CBN bullion van drivers who often drive against traffic, with impunity, on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.”
Reacting to the incident, Governor Amosun said: “This is lawlessness and the height of impunity.
“If this could happen to a governor within his territory, you can imagine what they would do to our citizens, who are simply going about their legitimate business.”
Governor Amosun, who expressed disappointment with the reckless manner in which CBN bullion van convoy often conducts itself on the road, warned that such acts of impunity would not be tolerated within the borders of Ogun State.
“We will not allow such senseless and reckless behavior in Ogun State,” Governor Amosun vowed.