File: Scene of an accident involving

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Witnesses of road crashes have been advised to render help to accident victims, rather than breaking​ the news on social media.
The leadership of the Edo State Branch of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, gave the advise in Benin on Wednesday during their state-wide community First Aid training to sensitize the people on the need to help accident victims, as part of activities marking the 2017 celebration of the World Founder’s Day.
Speaking during a sensitization rally at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the State Branch Chairman of Red Cross, Mr. Festus Alenkhe, described as unfortunate the trend where people will upload videos and pictures of accident scenes on social media rather than assist victims get quick medical care.
He stressed the need to teach first aid applications and how to help accident victims to residents of communities along major highways.
“The Red Cross has embarked on community first aid [training] because we have noticed that instead of assisting accident victims to get immediate help, people bring out their phone and start taking videos and pictures. So we need to change that orientation,” Alenkhe said.
He however lamented the killing of some first aid care givers when the camp of Internally Displaced Persons in Borno State was mistakenly bombed by Nigeria’s security operatives.
Responding, the Edo NUJ Chairman, Sir Rolland Osakue, who received the Red Cross team, gave them the support of the Council, adding, “We believe that the Red Cross and the NUJ are partners in Progress.”