Twelve people were killed in an accident involving six vehicles on Wednesday night at Zakaliyo hamlet, in Babale community of Jos North Local Council of Plateau State.
The Guardian learnt that 20 injured people taken to a health centre in Toro, Bauchi State, were responding to treatment, while the remains of the deceased were deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital mortuary in Jos.
An eyewitness, Mohammed Yaro, told The Guardian yesterday, that the accident occurred at about 7:30p.m. when the brake of a heavy duty truck failed.
According to Yaro, the truck driver, who could not control the vehicle hit other vehicles ahead of him.
“During the course of the event, two Federal Road Safety Corps officers, residing at Zakaliyo, came out with some people to assist the victims.
“Six vehicles were involved in the accident. Those who died inside the vehicles were nine, while a Suya seller, an engine oil seller and an onlooker also lost their lives,” he added.
At press time, Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alfred Alabo, was yet to comment on the issue as his mobile telephone was switched off.
But the Sector Commander, Plateau State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Alphonsus Godwin, confirmed the incident.
He said 10 people died in the unfortunate accident, while others were injured.
“The accident was caused when the truck conveying POP powder lost control of the vehicle and the propeller shaft pulled out, hitting other vehicles as it crashed.
“It was majorly caused by an inexperienced driver, who is a motor boy. The deceased bodies were deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos, while the injured were rushed to a health centre in Toro, Bauchi State, close to the scene of the accident,” he added.
Godwin advised vehicle owners against allowing their motor boys to drive, to avert avoidable accidents in the future.
