By Enyichukwu Enemanna
At least seven members of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have lost their lives in a fatal accident in Plateau State.
The accident which happened on Saturday at Jwak village, Panyam district of Mangu LGA of Plateau State, involved a truck carrying over 70 supporters of the party after its zonal rally held in Pankshin.
The Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Peter Longsan said so far, seven persons have been confirmed dead.
“As we speak, I’m still waiting for a comprehensive report from our men on the ground, but so far, we are told seven people lost their lives,” he said.
“We are also told that over seventy persons were loaded in the truck which crashed at Panyam in Mangu on their way back to Jos.”
Longsan said the injured are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Mangu.
Caleb Mutfwang, PDP governorship candidate in the state, has commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.
Mutfwang said he would visit the victims at the various hospitals to ascertain the severity of their condition and the necessary steps to take.
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the party, has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
“I am numbed by the tragedy in which scores of lives were lost and injured in a road accident at the end of the Plateau Central PDP Campaign flag-off yesterday in Pankshin LGA. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims,” he said.