Jonathan’s police outrider crashes to death in Abuja

One of the best police outriders in President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy, Sirajo Alkali, has died in a crash along the Abuja airport road.

The incident happened on Saturday when Mr. Jonathan was returning to Abuja after a brief visit to Adamawa State, a source told PREMIUM TIMES.


Mr. Alkali, a 32 year-old Police Corporal from Edo State, was said to have been one of the most gifted riders attached to the office of the president.

A presidency source who asked not to be quoted because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said Mr. Alkali and other members of the presidential convoy had departed the Aso Villa on the fateful day to receive Mr. Jonathan.

“He was one of the best outriders in the convoy and had a very good knowledge of the power bike,” the source said.

“Corporal Alkali would always bring rhythm and style to the presidential convoy through his expert manoeuvrings, sharp but careful bending and calculated movements.

“But that day, he was just at his best when he suddenly ran into one of the concrete partition used by the company handling construction work on the Airport Road.”

According to the source, the outrider was initially at the rear of the presidential convoy but later moved ahead as the motorcade approached the military checkpoint by the Kuje bridge.

But just as he manoeuvred the sharp bend towards where the eight-lane approach is partitioned, Mr. Alkali lost control of the revving BMW power bike and crashed into the concrete partition.

“It was very pathetic and Mr. President called for the convoy to stop and personally came down to ensure that Alkali was immediately evacuated to the hospital but he died almost immediately,” the source said.

The remains of the police officer were moved to the National Hospital, according to the source.
PREMIUM TIMES also learnt that Mr. Jonathan and his wife, Patience, had invited the wife and close relations of the deceased to the Villa for a meeting.

The deceased officer was buried on Wednesday in his hometown, Igbanke, Orhinmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was survived by four children.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory Police command, Anjuguri Manzah, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the death of the outrider to PREMIUM TIMES.