A moving truck struck and killed Corporal Blessing Omene, a police officer assigned to the Safer Highway Patrol unit in Bayelsa State, while she was on duty along Glory Land Drive on the East–West Road in Yenagoa. The driver of the truck has been arrested and is in custody pending investigation.
Corporal Omene, badge number 520061, was carrying out routine highway patrol duties on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, when the incident occurred. Her colleagues at the scene moved quickly to detain the truck driver, ensuring he did not flee, according to the Bayelsa State Police Command.
Commissioner Confirms Death and Mourns Officer
Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ajao Saka Adewale, confirmed the tragedy through a post on the Bayelsa Police-Media platform. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of an officer who reported for duty and never returned home.
"I received with deep sorrow the news of the sudden death of F/No. 520061 CPL Blessing Omene of the Safer Highway Patrol, on 30th September, 2026, who was reportedly struck by a truck while on duty along Glory Land Drive, East–West Road," Adewale said.
He extended condolences to Omene's family, colleagues, and the entire Safer Highway Patrol unit, adding that the incident had deeply troubled the command and the Inspector-General of Police. "We mourn an officer who only reported for duty in service to the public and did not return home," he added.
Driver Arrested and Investigation Underway
The commissioner confirmed that the truck driver is currently being held pending a full investigation into the circumstances of the crash. The swift action by Omene's teammates ensured the driver was taken into custody at the scene.
Adewale used the opportunity to issue a safety reminder to all officers working on Nigerian highways, urging them to stay alert to oncoming vehicles, position themselves away from harm, and strictly follow road safety protocols during operations.
"I urge all officers, particularly those working on highways, to remain alert to approaching traffic, position themselves safely and follow established road safety procedures during operations. Supervisors must reinforce these precautions at every briefing," he said.
He added: "As the saying goes that the fall of a leaf is a warning to the others, I strongly appeal to us all to take every possible care to protect ourselves in the course of protecting others."
Command Stands With Bereaved Family
The Bayelsa State Police Command said it stands with the bereaved family and prayed for comfort for those mourning Omene's passing.
In a related incident, Legit.ng earlier reported that a female police inspector, Mercy Bassey, died after a hit-and-run driver struck her at the Adekunle Intersection on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. That incident, like Omene's death, highlights the dangers officers face while serving on Nigerian roads.
