The family of Patience Ashenenye, a 35-year-old woman tragically killed after being struck by a speeding police vehicle in Nasarawa State, has turned down a ₦100,000 burial contribution offered by local officers, demanding justice instead of financial support.
The incident occurred near Ta’al Conference Hotel, close to the School of Health in Nasarawa. Ashenenye, along with her three-month-old son, was riding on a motorcycle when a policeman in a high-speed, government-owned Hilux vehicle allegedly rammed into them. The crash left Ashenenye fatally injured, while her infant son sustained a broken leg and was hospitalized. The motorcycle rider, Tasiu Mohammed, was also injured.
Ashenenye died shortly after being admitted to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital. Two days later, her grieving family received a visit from two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) who extended ₦100,000 towards her burial expenses—a gesture the family firmly rejected, calling for accountability instead.
“The policeman survived, but my sister did not. Her son is now in the hospital with a broken leg,” Ashenenye’s brother, George Akube, told the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Nasarawa State Police Command spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel, confirmed that an investigation is underway. He explained that the officer involved was hospitalized due to shock, conveyed condolences to the family, and clarified that the ₦100,000 was intended to assist with medical costs, not as compensation for the tragic loss.