The death of 12 Pastors and two others of The Salvation Army, Nigeria Territory in auto crash has attracted the condolences of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Peter Obi and Pastor Umo Eno.
About 14 persons – 12 pastors, a baby, and a driver- were confirmed dead from the auto crash that occurred on the bridge across the Ovia River, close to Benin City, the Edo State capital on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
The Senate President, Akpabio, condoled with the leadership and members of The Salvation Army, over the death of their officers and members in a fatal accident along the Lagos-Benin expressway, describing it as shocking and tragic.
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The statement came from the Media Unit of his office and made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
“The President of the 10th Senate, Godswill Akpabio, received with great shock, the news of the death of members of this great commission in a fatal road accident around Ovia Bridge, near Benin-City, which claimed the lives of 12 officers of the church and a baby while returning from a missionary assignment in Lagos State.
“I commiserate Commissioner Daniel Kasuso, the Territorial Commander. I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed faithful. I pray that God grants those they left behind, the fortitude to bear this great loss,” the statement stated.
On his part, Peter Obi, Nigeria’s 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, commiserated The Salvation Army and the respective families of pastors who died in the fatal road accident.
Obi, on his Twitter page post on Saturday, July 1, 2023, said he received the report with shock.
The former Anambra State Governor offered his condolence to the families of the dead officers and the Salvation Army, and prayed for quick recovery for the injured victims.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno also expressed sadness over the deaths of members of The Salvation Army Church in auto crash.
This is contained in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the governor Mr. Ekerete Udoh and made available to newsmen weekend in Uyo.
Governor Eno lamented that the tragic incident which occurred when the worshippers were returning from a church programme in Lagos State on Thursday was even more painful as most of the victims of were from close-knit families.
The statement reads: “Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has expressed the deep sadness of the Government and people of the State over the tragic auto crash that claimed the lives of several officers and members of the Salvation Army Church, while returning from a church event in Lagos on Thursday.
“In a message of condolences addressed to Commissioner Daniel Kasuso, Territorial Commander and National Leader of The Salvation Army, Nigeria, Governor Umo Eno expressed sadness over the tragic incident that claimed the lives of many of our sons and daughters while coming back from a church engagement in Lagos.
“This tragic incident is even more painful as most of the victims involved were from close-knit families. My heart goes out to all those directly affected by this unfortunate incident.
“We stand ready to support the church at this hour of grief and bereavement. May the souls of the departed rest in peace! Amen.”
