The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has expressed regret over the death of a female officer who died during a simulation exercise at the Corps’ headquarters in Abuja on Saturday.

The Corps Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the NSCDC family is deeply pained by the incident and disclosed that arrangements are underway to accord the deceased officer a befitting burial.

Afolabi told our correspondent that a high-powered delegation of senior officers has been dispatched to condole with the family. He explained that the incident occurred in the open during a simulation exercise on the parade ground and could not have been concealed from the public.

He added that the Corps refrained from making an immediate public statement out of respect for the deceased’s family, pending proper consultation.

Confirming the circumstances of the death, Afolabi stated that the officer died following an accident during a display on the parade ground. He described the exercise as a routine simulation conducted over the years for personnel.

While declining to provide further details at the time of the interview, he noted that the incident occurred during a simulation display by the Corps’ Female Strike Force.

However, footage of the incident seen by our Correspondent revealed the moment a black operational van with red wheels, bearing the inscription “Female Squad,” was moving with a second van, marked “Female Strike Force FCT Command,” following behind.

The NSCDC officer died after being crushed by one of the operational vans involved in the display. The van mistakenly ran over her, pinning her underneath.

It was learnt that when she was eventually pulled out from under the van, it was obvious that she could not survive the tragedy.

While Babawale said top officials of the Corps were already with the family on arrangements for a befitting burial, he noted that the Corps would provide detailed statement on the circumstances surrounding the incident. (The Nation)