Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has announced the death of his longtime aide, retired DSP Zamani Tanko, following a road accident in Abuja.
Dickson disclosed the sad development in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday, describing Tanko as a loyal aide, trusted associate, and member of his family.
According to the senator, he received information on Wednesday morning that Tanko had been involved in an accident after his vehicle reportedly collided with a truck in Abuja.
He said the retired police officer lost consciousness at the scene and was immediately taken to hospital for urgent medical attention.
The lawmaker revealed that members of his team rushed to assist and transported Tanko to the National Hospital Abuja.
He added that he later joined them at the hospital, where arrangements were made for immediate treatment.
Despite efforts by a team of surgeons who carried out an operation in a bid to save his life, Tanko died later that day, leaving Dickson, his family and members of his staff devastated.
He wrote: “It is with deep sadness that I announce the sudden passing of my beloved departed aide DSP Zamani Tanko (RTD) who over the years has become a brother and member of my family, who served Nigeria loyalty as a police officer for 35 years and was my personal staff handling sundry issues in addition to his security responsibilities.
“Yesterday morning, I received a sudden call that he was involved in an accident having appeared to have collided with a truck in Abuja. He became unconscious and was rushed to the hospital. My aides rushed to the scene and took him to the National Hospital. I rushed there myself after I was informed. We made arrangements for prompt medical treatments which were offered but unfortunately after the surgery by a team of surgeons assembled to bring him back to life, we received a call later that afternoon that he could not make it.
“I, my entire family and members of my staff have been devastated since this call.
“On behalf of my family and member of my staff who are all mourning, we thank Zamani Tanko for his loyal, faithful and dedicated service to our country and his humble and loyal service to me in the past fifteen years during which time he had become not only one of my most trusted aides but also a trusted family member. He was fundly called ‘uncle Zamani’ by my family members who right now are devastated as a result of his passing.”
