By Thompson Yamput
Lokoja – Eleven persons died on the spot while sevens others were seriously injured in an accident that occurred on Thursday at a military checkpoint at
Ochadamu village on Ajaokuta-Itobe-Anyigba road in Kogi State.
Twelve vehicles, including trucks and six motorcycles were also completely burnt in the accident which occurred at about 3pm.
Eyewitness said the multiple accident occurred when a truck rammed into a stationary vehicle at the military check point due to brake failure, killing one person on the spot at Ochadamu village.
“While the military personnel were trying to sort out that incident, a truck driver was busy video taping the incident, a situation which angered the personnel, who seized the phone.
“Other truck drivers around protested and demanded that the phone be released to their colleague without further delay,” eyewitnesses said.
The military personnel however, refused to the release the phone to the truck driver as demanded by his colleagues.
The situation degenerated when one of the drivers
drove his tanker laden with petrol across the road, thereby blocking the vehicular movement on the highway.
All attempts made by soldiers to make the drivers remove the truck and free the road for traffick proved abortive.
Eyewitnesses said it was in the midst of the confusion that an articulated vehicle, carrying coal, lost control and rammed into the fuel tanker.
The petrol tanker immediately burst into flames which quickly ignited fire on all other vehicles around.
The state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),
Stephen Dawulung,
confirmed the accident, blaming it on “human carelessness.”
Dawulung said 12 vehicles, including trucks and six motorcycles were completely burnt in the accident.
He said that the FRSC personnel, who rushed to the scene were able to rescue some trapped victims and rushed them to nearby hospitals for treatment.
“Already, six of the injured persons have been taken to Holy Memorial Hospital, Ochadamu, while one person was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja for medical attention.
“It’s sad that 11 persons died in these unfortunate road accidents that occurred at a spot due to human carelessness,” he said.
The sector commander said that the corps had been warning motorists to always check the road worthiness of their vehicles before embarking on a journey but it seems they are not obeying.
He described the incident as “shocking” calling on motorists to always keep to the safety rules and regulations to avoid such carnage and wanton destruction.(NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
