Lagos —along Makurdi - Aliade road. Eighteen of the victims were said to be members of a catholic organization, SS Peter and Paul, Makurdi.


The members of the catholic organisation, according to THISDAY Checks, were going to Otukpo in Benue South Senatorial District to attend a thanks-giving service.

A reliable source who pleaded anonymity, said "I saw the bus in which the victims were travelling, coming out of a filling station when suddenly a trailer carrying petroleum product, just rammed into them very close to the office of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Makurdi.

"The sight was so bad to look at as mangled bodies of the victims could be seen scattered all over even as officials of the FRSC could be seen attending to them, infact, none of the occupants of the bus survived because they all died including the driver', he said.

The occupants of the vehicle who are all members of the said catholic organisation were of Idoma extraction.

The husband of one of the victims simply called Mr. Abah, whose wife was a caterer and yam merchant with tears rolling down his cheeks said, "Oh! God, I'm now totally in ruin with my family, my wife is dead and what am I going to do now particularly with the children without their mother by my side to assist?"

Abah's compound was filled with sympathisers because his late wife, Rose, was a strong member of the SS Peter and Paul.


As at the time of filing this report, various districts of the Idoma community residing in Makurdi, could be seen making arrangements to convey their late members' remains home.

The remains of the victims were deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi even as efforts to get the comment of the police spokesman in the state to comment on the accident proved abortive as his telephone lines and that of the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed could not be reached.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200904060187.html

The effects of corruption. RIP to everyone who has lost their life.