A Mercedes Benz 1414 bus carrying mobile policemen from Port Harcourt, Rivers State in southeast Nigeria, collided with a 911 truck at Achohol Village near Aliade Town in Benue State on Wednesday morning, killing 27 of the officers and three civilians, local media reported Thursday.

The accident took place in the early morning Wednesday when the mobile policemen were traveling to Jalingo, Taraba State from Port Harcourt after they had completed their special duty in Rivers State, according to an official of the Benue State Police Command.

A resident of Achohol, Joshua Tar said he was sleeping in the early morning when he heard a loud bang outside. On getting outside, he heard people shouting for help from the wreckage of the two vehicles. Along with other villagers, Tar said he was able to assist two policemen who were still alive at the time.

Speaking on the accident after he visited the scene, the state Police Commissioner Udom Ekpoudom described it as a 'national tragedy'. The commissioner said it was unfortunate that the officers died while returning from a national duty.

The Benue state government and Taraba state government will take their duty to ensure that the families of the policemen and civilians were not neglected, local media reported.

Source: Xinhua