A tragic road accident has claimed the lives of at least three delegates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing the Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, while approximately 10 others sustained various injuries.
The victims were traveling from Makurdi to Lafia on Wednesday to participate in the party’s North Central zonal congress when the crash occurred.
While official figures have not been formally released, a senior APC official confirmed the fatalities, stating that “about three occupants of the bus died while 10 or 11 others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at BSUTH. The bus conveyed some ward and local government APC officials from Ogbadibo.”
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Following the congress on Wednesday evening, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia visited the survivors currently receiving medical care at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi.
The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, expressed profound sadness over the event, noting that the “tragic incident has brought immense grief not only to their families but also to the party and the entire state.”
Through a statement issued by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Ior Ikyereve, Ode described the situation as “heartbreaking,” adding that the victims were dedicated members traveling for an essential party function.
He assured the public that the “Government of Benue State stands in solidarity with them, their families and all party members at this difficult time,” while also wishing the injured a “speedy and full recovery.”
The Deputy Governor further urged motorists to “exercise caution and adhere strictly to traffic regulations, especially during long-distance travels.”
The Benue State APC Chairman, Chief Benjamin Omale, informed reporters that he is working to get more specifics, saying, “I will get in touch with the Ogbadibo local government point man to get full details including the number of victims. Others will be discharged today.”
Regarding the location of the crash, the Benue State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Dahunsi, clarified that “the accident happened in Nasarawa State not in Benue and the FRSC Command handled the situation yesterday when the incident occurred.”
He noted that he did not yet have the full technical details of the rescue operation.
