The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the identities of the man and his wife who were chased to their deaths by touts in Abuja on Wednesday.
The couple, identified as Emeka Ehekweme and his wife, died after their Toyota Highlander lost control and crashed into a bridge pillar along Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, Mabushi.
The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh.
She said, “Preliminary findings indicate that a grey Toyota Highlander, registration number ABJ 206 EC, driven by one Emeka Ehekweme with his wife, was accosted by three unidentified suspects who forcefully entered the vehicle near Berger Junction, Utako. In the ensuing struggle for control of the steering, the vehicle lost control, struck another parked Mazda vehicle and somersaulted into a bridge pillar.”
According to the police, the driver, his wife, and two of the assailants were confirmed dead on arrival at the National Hospital, while a third suspect is receiving treatment. The driver of the parked Mazda, identified as Suleman Mohammed, escaped with no life-threatening injuries.
The incident sparked outrage among passers-by who reportedly lynched one of the touts at the scene.
SP Adeh added that investigation was ongoing to unravel the full circumstances behind the incident. “The command commiserates with the families of the deceased and assures the public of a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts of the matter,” she said.