Bayelsa SSG's wife, 19 others die in crash after visit to Dame Jonathan

The wife of the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Elizabeth Oguru, was among the 20 persons who died on Saturday night after a visit to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. The accident occurred in Ahoada on the East-West Road in Rivers State. Others who died included Consider Amadi, a former Woman Leader in Ogbia; Clara Abila,  a grassroots politician; Immaculate Amasimua, a former Commissioner in the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission; Zimbra Goma, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Bayelsa State; and Hon. Ruby Benjamin, a former member of the House of Assembly representing Brass Constituency 1 of Bayelsa State. They were said to be returning from Port Harcourt in Rivers State where they had gone on a visit to Dame Jonathan. The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission in Bayelsa State, Vincent Jack, confirmed the development. Jack spoke with newsmen on the telephone on Sunday. He, however, said only nine persons died in the fire that engulfed the vehicle in which the victims were travelling. The accident occurred when the tyre of an oncoming Toyota Sienna van exploded and the car rammed into the bus carrying the women. The bus burst into flame immediately. The coaster bus in which the women were travelling bore the  inscription: 'Women For Change Initiative.' It is a Non Governmental Organisation promoted by Dame Jonathan.

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