MOROGORO: THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Camillus Wambura, has directed the Traffic Police Unit to strengthen enforcement of road safety laws, warning motorists against negligence that continues to cause fatal accidents.
He made the remarks on Saturday during a funeral ceremony for three police officers who died in a road accident on October 8 along the Morogoro–Dodoma Highway in Kilosa District, Morogoro Region.
The accident occurred at Miti Bora, Magole Village, while the officers were travelling to carry out official duties.
IGP Wambura joined security and defence leaders, government officials, family members and friends in paying their last respects to the officers at the Regional Field Force Unit (FFU) grounds in Morogoro.
The bodies were later transported to their respective home regions of Singida, Dodoma and Manyara for burial with full Police honours.
The deceased were identified as G9771 Sergeant Abdallah Ramadhani, 37, who was driving a police-owned pickup truck, registration number PT 5361 GMW; Police Constable Rehoboan Marko, 32; and Police Constable Michael Lucian, 23.
IGP Wambura said the deaths were a major loss to the force, describing the officers as valued personnel on whom the institution depended.
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“The Police Force has suffered a major blow, losing officers within a short period. These were officers we depended on,” he said.
He noted that many officers who had died in recent incidents were young people whose loss affected both the nation and their families.
The IGP urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, stressing that negligence and failure to observe road safety laws contribute to accidents that claim lives and leave others injured.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Operations and Training of the Tanzania Police Force, Awadhi Juma Haji, said the seven officers injured in the accident had been referred to Muhimbili National Hospital for further medical examinations.
He said their condition was improving. Earlier, Morogoro Regional Police Commander Andrew Kantimbo said the force had lost dedicated officers, some of whom had served as instructors in military training.