Driver kills 14 children in an accident in Plateau

The accident happened on Saturday.

The Plateau Police Command said on Monday that it had arrested the driver who killed 14 children at Mazat Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Saturday.

The deceased were among 40 Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Guide of COCIN Church and Assembly of God Church who were training early morning of August 3, but were ran over by a speedy truck on Bokkos–Barkin Ladi road.

Felicia Anslem, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, said in Jos, that the driver, Jacob Joshua, ran away when he committed the offence only to be arrested in neighbouring Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.

“We are able to track the driver down after he ran away when he killed the children at Mazat Village of Barkin Ladi Local Government.

“Our officers and men tracked him down last Sunday evening (Aug. 4) and he is now in detention,” she said.

Ms. Anslem said that an investigation into the incident had commenced and that the driver would be prosecuted.

“Nobody who commits such a crime can run away from the law; he or she must face the wrath of the law,” she said.

She said that the vehicle, which was involved in the accident, was in police custody.

14 teenagers crushed to death in Plateau to be buried Today (Tuesday)

The driver of the truck escaped after the accident.

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau on Monday commiserated with families of the 14 children crushed by a vehicle at Mazat Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

The 14 children – eight Girls’ Guide and six Boys’ Brigade- were jogging on Saturday morning as part of their training when they were crushed to death by a car travelling from Bokkos on high speed.

Mr. Jang, who was emotionally moved by the incident, described it as “very shocking and sad”, and cautioned motorists against recklessness on the highway.

“We have lost precious leaders of tomorrow to somebody’s recklessness but all the same, only God knows why; He must have allowed it for a purpose.

“Only God can explain why this large number of young people should die at a go; it is not sickness, it is not war, yet a colossal loss,” he lamented.

The governor enjoined the families to take solace in God, especially when they (children) died in the course of His (God’s) service.

He, however, enjoined parents not to be discouraged by the incident but to allow their wards to join the Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Guide as part of their service to God in the Church.

He said that his administration would ensure the children were given a befitting burial.

Mr. Jang charged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure that all the roads within the state were effectively patrolled to check motorists’ recklessness.

Earlier, Emmanuel Loman, Chairman, Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, thanked the governor for the condolence visit.

He said the council had had various kinds of misfortunes for some time now and that the people had been taking solace in God.

“Only God knows why all these are happening to us,” he said.

The burial late children, whose ages were between 10 and 18 years, has been slated for Tuesday.


Source: Premium Times