Dangote truck crushes 12 Pastors, two others of Salvation Army

… As Dangote truck rams into the 18-seater bus conveying the pastors

Deceased families of the 12 Pastors of The Salvation Army, Ni­geria Territory are yet to find solace as speeding Dangote truck hit the clergymen’s bus from behind, killing them in Edo State on their way from Officers’ Councils Conference in Lagos.

The crash which occurred at Ovia River close to Benin City, the Edo State capital on Thursday, June 29 also claimed the lives of a baby and driver.

Confirming the incident in statement, Major Daniel Ekong, the Pub­lic Relations Secretary of the church, stated, “the Salvation Army has lost 12 of its officers (pas­tors), a baby and a driver in a fa­tal accident.’’

According to him, “At the time of this state­ment, it has been reported that approximately 12 officers, one comrade who drove the vehicle, and a baby tragically lost their lives, while others sustained vary­ing degrees of injuries and were rushed to hospital.

“The accident was said to have been caused by a speeding Dangote truck which allegedly rammed into the 18-seater bus conveying the clerics from behind.

“The clerics of the largest de­nomination known internation­ally for its humanitarian services were returning to the South South part of the country from a 5-day Officers Council (national confer­ence) held in Lagos,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the national leader of the organisa­tion in Nigeria, Commissioner Daniel Kasuso, Territorial Com­mander, has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, praying God’s protection over those who remain.

Kasuso specifically prayed for the Salvation Army in general that the souls of the departed offi­cers, baby, and comrade (member driver), find eternal rest in the em­brace of God.

“The leadership of the Salva­tion Army Nigeria Territory here­by extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased Officers and fervently prays for God’s protection over those who remained,” he added.