12 killed in Plateau, Kogi auto crashes

Twelve passengers have died in road accidents in Plateau and Kogi states.

Ten passengers were on Tuesday killed while many others injured in a motor accident at a military checkpoint on the Jos-Bauchi road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State.

Peter Y. Longsan, Superintendent and Route Commander for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Plateau State Command, explained that a rescue operation was carried out jointly by their members, police, ministry officials and villagers.

He said, “The crash occurred at above 0012 hours (12am), it involved four vehicles, two trailers and two mini buses (Ford Galaxy). 19 people were involved, 17 males and two females. 10 adult men died on the spot. The injured victims were taken to the Miya Barkate General Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau State Specialist Hospital.

“Eight corpses were deposited at the Plateau Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital morgues, while two of the corpses were claimed by officials of the NURTW for internment.”

He explained that while further investigation was ongoing, preliminary findings revealed speed and reckless driving were major contributory factors that led to the crash.

The sector command, therefore, called on commuters to desist from night trips, avoid excessive speed, dangerous driving and take their personal safety of utmost importance.

Daily Trust reports that the latest incident occurred barely 12 days after nine students of the University of Jos were killed in an accident on Zaria Road, Jos.

Similarly, the FRSC confirmed the death of two people with 12 others injured in an auto crash that occurred in Osara community in Adavi LGA of Kogi State.

Mr Tenimu Etuku, the FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, said four out of the 14 survivors were in very critical conditions and were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Etuku described the accident which involved an 18-seater Toyota Hiace and an articulated vehicle as “fatal”.

He said that from the manifest, the ill-fated bus left Kano on Monday evening, heading to Auchi/Benin before the unfortunate incident that happened between 7am and 8am on Tuesday.

He attributed the cause of the head-on collision to speeding and wrongful overtaking.

Etuku also urged motorists to drive with care on the highways and keep to traffic rules and regulations; especially during the yuletide.

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