The truck accident that occurred on Saturday evening while some PDP supporters were returning from a Zonal rally at Pankshin local government area, the seat of the Plateau Central Senatorial zone, has been verified to have left seven people dead and 32 others injured.
Recall that the victims were being transported in a truck when it crashed in the Mangu local government area’s Jwak hamlet, not far from the Panyam bridge.
The Atiku-Okowa/Mutfwang-Piyo Campaign Council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Yiljap Abraham, gave additional information, including the number of casualties and the locations of the hospitals where the survivors are being treated as the Party’s candidate for governor, Barr. The occurrence, which Caleb Mutfwang called “an tremendous and agonizing tragedy,” resulted in the immediate suspension of all campaign activity.
Abraham said in a statement, “It has been confirmed that seven people lost their lives in the road accident on Saturday evening involving supporters of the Plateau State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party. They were returning from the PDP flag-off and zonal rally held at Pankshin when their truck crashed on a slope between Pushit and the Panyam bridge in Mangu Local Government Area.
“32 of the passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries. 21 have been taken to Nissi Dominus hospital Mangu, one is at Nanret clinic Mangu and 10 are at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH. Two have been adjudged to be in critical condition with one undergoing emergency surgery at Nissi Dominus hospital. Meantime, the corpses have been removed from the scene and deposited at Allah Na Kowa hospital, Nissi Dominus hospital, and Mangu Cottage hospital.
“The evacuations were coordinated by the Medical Team of the Campaign Council headed by Dr. Juryit, some personal staff of the PDP Governorship Candidate, Barr Caleb Mutfwang with the aid of many sympathizers. In his initial reaction, Barr Mutfwang expressed shock at the tragedy. He has asked for prayers and every support to be extended to the grieving families and healing for those injured.”
He further added, “These are indeed gallant soldiers of democracy who gave their all. They are heroes of our democracy, and they deserve that we celebrate them while at the same time comforting their families. We assure them that their sacrifices will not go in vain. Their memories must remain ingrained in our minds as true partners of our determined march toward an authentic rescue of our nation and Plateau State.”
