No fewer than 10 passengers were killed, and many others were injured, in a ghastly motor accident along the Jos-Bauchi road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident, which occurred after a military checkpoint around 12:12am yesterday, involved two trailers and two minibuses.
Peter Y. Longsan, Superintendent and Route Commander, Public Education Officer for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Plateau State Command, confirmed the incident, explaining that the rescue operation was carried out jointly by their members, police, ministry officers and villagers.
“The crash occurred at about 0012 hours (12:12 am). It involved four vehicles, two trailers, and two mini-buses (Ford Galaxy). Nineteen people were involved, comprising 17 males and two females. Ten adult men died on the spot. The injured victims were taken to General Hospital Miyabarkate, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in Jos, and Plateau State Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
“Eight corpses of the deceased were deposited at the morgues of Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital, while two of the corpses were claimed by the officials of the NURTW for internment,” Peter said.
He further explained that, while further investigation is ongoing, preliminary findings indicate that speed and reckless driving were major contributory factors in the crash.
The sector commander, however, called on commuters to desist from night trips, avoid excessive speed and dangerous driving, and place their personal safety at the utmost importance.
In other news, two persons lost their lives and three others sustained critical injuries following a multi-vehicle collision involving a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck at Iyana Meiran, Lagos, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed.
LASTMA, in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said that the accident occurred on Meiran Road, near the Primary Health Centre (PHC), when the mixer truck, reportedly travelling at high speed,
experienced a sudden brake failure and veered uncontrollably into a commercial mini-bus (EPP 541 YF) and four tricycles (KTU 360 QN, LND 444 QL, LSR 444 QN, and EKY 122 QP). The impact left the vehicles mangled and trapped passengers within the wreckage.
“Preliminary security findings revealed that the tragic occurrence was triggered by a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck which, while being operated at an inordinately high speed, suffered a sudden brake failure and consequently lost control,” the statement said.
LASTMA personnel, assisted by passersby, quickly intervened to rescue the three critically injured victims. The injured were transported to Mobonke Hospital on Meiran Road for urgent medical care, while the bodies of the two deceased were handed over to the Nigeria Police for further arrangements.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sympathy for the bereaved families and reiterated the authority’s call for strict adherence to road safety regulations. “Mechanical negligence and excessive speeding remain persistent and avoidable causes of fatal road crashes,” he said.
