President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has announced automatic employment for two sons of his police escort, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hussani Ibrahim, who died in a road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Sunday.
Akpabio made the announcement on Tuesday during plenary while formally notifying senators of the officer’s death.
DSP Ibrahim, who served as the Senate President’s dispatch rider, was killed when a petrol tanker rammed into Akpabio’s convoy, according to a Premium Times report.
The incident occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, shortly after Akpabio was received at the airport following his attendance at a chieftaincy conferment for Senator AbdulAzeez Yari and Seyi Tinubu in Oyo.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio recounted the incident, saying, “We went to Oyo State for the installation of our colleague and the vehicles that came to pick me at the Ibadan airport… Unfortunately, my dispatch rider was run over by a tanker driver, and his head was shattered. We just buried him 15 minutes ago in Kogi State. He left two wives and four children.”
He appealed to heads of ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to grant automatic employment to the late officer’s children, adding that he would personally ensure their engagement if vacancies were unavailable.
“By the grace of God, I’m recommending two of his senior children for employment immediately in any parastatals that may wish to, otherwise I’ll employ them personally in any of my private concerns,” Akpabio added.
In a solemn tribute, the Senate President described the deceased as a disciplined and dedicated professional whose life was marked by service.
Addressing the bereaved family, he said, “Your late father understood the value of work and service.
He devoted himself to it. Unfortunately, instead of earning a laurel for the devotion, he earned death.
“But it is death that is not in vain. It is death that testifies to his legacy of service. May the Lord accept his soul.”
Akpabio also conveyed condolences to the family of the deceased, the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, describing Ibrahim as courageous and fearless.
“I commiserate with the family, the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force over the loss of this courageous, fearless, and daring officer.
“While I pray to God to accept his soul, may He in His infinite mercy grant the family and the Nigeria Police Force the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.
He explained that the pledge of automatic employment for the officer’s sons was a personal gesture to honour his sacrifice and years of dedicated service.
Shortly after the announcement, Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) raised a motion for personal explanation to present the incident to the Senate through a substantive motion.
While sympathising with the Senate President, Karimi noted that the late dispatch rider was due for retirement next year.
He added that DSP Ibrahim, a native of Kogi State, had served in Akpabio’s convoy since 2023, when he assumed office as Senate President.
The Senate also paid tribute on Tuesday to Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur, described as a committed driver who served for 25 years under Senator Jibrin Echocho, representing Kogi East Senatorial District.
The upper chamber observed a minute’s silence in honour of both deceased individuals and offered prayers for the repose of their souls.