PDP rally accident: More tears as death toll reaches 16

The Directorate of Media and Publicity, Atiku-Okowa, Mutfwang-Piyo Campaign Council in Plateau State has given an update on the road accident which occurred shortly after the Party ended its campaign in Pankshin local government area.

The council initially said that seven people lost their lives but later upgraded the figure to 13 while the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC say 16 people died.

The PDP immediately suspended activities in honour of the victims.

Yiljap Abraham, the Director, Media, and Publicity Atiku-Okowa, Mutfwang-Piyo Campaign Council Plateau State in a statement on Sunday said, “A total of 13 people are now confirmed dead following Saturday’s truck accident along Pushit-Panyam road.

“The latest report by the medical team of the PDP Campaign Council shows that as of Sunday morning, all cases are stable and responding to treatment – including the two cases that were critical on Saturday.

“The Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH is currently managing 24 cases; Nissi Domino’s hospital in Mangu 20 cases; Infinity Hospital, Mangu eight cases; Cottage Hospital Mangu four cases; Panyam Clinic four cases. The cases at Allah Na Kowa in Mangu have all been transferred to JUTH.

“In all, there are 64 patients presently receiving treatment. Families have started claiming and performing the burial rites of their loved ones. The Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP, Barr Caleb Mutfwang has asked his team to provide every assistance possible to the grieving families.”

Teams of party and campaign council officials from the secretariats, the zones, and local governments have been deployed with many family members in this moment of grief.

But the FRSC in a statement by RC Peter Longsan Route Commander Public Enlightenment Officer noted, “Fatal road traffic crash occurred on 14 January 2023 along Pankshin – Jos Road at about 5:00 pm. It was a lone crash involving a truck conveying people from a Plateau Central Zone political campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Vanguard