Former Akwa Ibom governor flown to the UK for medical treatment after car crash

FORMER Akwa Ibom State governor and senate minority leader Godswill Akpabio has been flown into London for medical treatment after he picked up minor injuries in a recent road accident in Abuja.
On Monday, Governor Akpabio's car ran into a convoy of some US embassy officials while trying to beat the traffic light. Although he did not appear to suffer any major injuries and was seen walking when he left Nigeria. The former governor has been flown to the UK for treatment as a precautionary measure.

It was learnt that the senator, in company with about five of his aides, left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard the regular private jet that he usually travels with. He was conveyed to his aircraft by a tarmac bus and was fit physically when sighted at the airport.

One Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria official said: “He was at the local wing of the airport and one of the tarmac buses was used to convey him to his aircraft. He left around 20 minutes to 1pm.

“The former governor travelled with his own private flight and had about five persons who accompanied him on the trip. He looked physically okay, although some of the men with him said he might receive medical attention abroad due to the car crash he was involved in on Monday.”

Following the crash, none of the occupants of the vehicles in the convoy of the US embassy nor Governor Akpabio’s driver sustained any injuries but the senator suffered some injuries in the chest region. Apparently, the accident occurred around 7.25am near the Bolingo Hotel, along Abuja Airport Road in the Central Business District and Governor Akpabio was immediately rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja.

Governor Akpabio, it was learnt, was travelling abroad to visit his wife and children when the accident happened. US Embassy officials confirmed that the convoy of the former governor collided with a suburban jeep belonging to the mission.

Bisi Kazeem of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said seven adult males were involved in the crash, adding that three of them including Governor Akpabio sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. Local Federal Capital Authority officials have commenced an investigation into the accident.