By Dansu Peter Tragedy struck in the early hours of Thursday when an articulated truck with registration number Kaduna, DKA 738 XB, crashed...
By Dansu Peter
Tragedy struck in the early hours of Thursday when an articulated truck with registration number Kaduna, DKA 738 XB, crashed into a residential building in the Okete community of Ohimini Local Government Area, Benue State, killing 14 people.
Eyewitnesses reported that the truck, en route to Abuja via the Otukpo-Oweto Road, veered off the road at around 5 a.m., slamming into the house where several victims were asleep. Three Muslims performing their early morning prayers by the roadside were also fatally struck.
A local resident revealed that the crash, initially reported to have claimed nine lives, saw its death toll rise to 14 after five critically injured victims succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
“The suspicion is that the truck’s brakes failed, leading the driver to lose control. Six people died instantly inside the house, while three others were killed outside. The remaining victims were rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, five could not survive,” the source recounted.
The incident sent shockwaves through the community. Residents, startled awake by the loud crash, rushed to rescue trapped victims from under the wreckage.
Authorities confirmed that the driver and his assistant fled the scene. “We hope the police will track them down,” the source added.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, stating, “The Command has commenced a full investigation to determine the cause of this tragic accident.”
The accident highlights the recurring menace of poorly maintained vehicles on Nigerian roads, with calls growing louder for stricter enforcement of road safety measures to prevent further loss of life.
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