Accident in Kastina-Ala left many dead

A fatal motor accident has resulted in the loss of at least 8 lives at Ngibo village along the Kastina-Ala – Zakibiam road in Benue State.

According to witnesses present at the scene on Tuesday afternoon, February 20, the tragic incident occurred when two vehicles, each carrying passengers from opposite directions, collided head-on.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bodies of the occupants from both vehicles, in a severely mangled state, were extricated from their entrapment with the assistance of sympathizers and some security personnel.

A local resident, who chose to remain anonymous, indicated that a total of 12 individuals were involved in the accident.

Tragically, eight individuals lost their lives immediately, while the remaining four, who were rushed to the hospital, succumbed to their injuries by the following day, Wednesday.

“The vehicle involved – golf car (commercial) had nine passengers while Nissan (private) had three passengers. The four that sustained various degrees of injuries and conveyed to the hospital on Tuesday have died, bringing the total number of deaths to 12”. Eyewitness said.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Benue State, Steve Ayodele, reported on Wednesday that an accident took place at 12:32 pm on Tuesday along the Kastina-Ala-Zakibiam road at Ngibo village.

The incident involved only 10 individuals. According to Ayodele, the accident was caused by over speeding, leading one of the vehicles to swerve in an attempt to avoid a pothole.

Had they not encountered this obstacle, they might have been able to navigate their way safely.

“It was a multiple accident involving two vehicles and it was fatal. 10 persons were involved – four female adults, five male adults and one female child. Out of the 10, eight people died,” he said.

“The fatalities include four female adults and three male adults and one female child. Two persons were injured and were taken to Kastina-Ala general hospital for medical attention

“It was a head-on collision; one of the vehicles was trying to avoid a pothole and rammed into an oncoming vehicle,” the Commander said.