Killer driver arrested as Plateau buries the dead

Nigeria’s Plateau State Police Command said it has arrested the driver who killed 14 children at Mazat village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on Saturday.

The deceased were among 40 Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Guide of COCIN Church and Assembly of God Church who were training early morning of 3 August but were ran over by a speedy car on Bokkos–Barkin Ladi road.

The children aged between 10 and 18 years will be buried today.

Mrs Felicia Anslem, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said that the driver, Jacob Joshua, ran away when he committed the offence only to be arrested in neighbouring Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.

“We are able to track the driver down after he ran away when he killed the children at Mazat village of Barkin Ladi Local Government.

“Our officers and men tracked him down last Sunday evening (Aug. 4) and he is now in detention,” she said.

Anslem said that an investigation into the incident had commenced and that the driver would be prosecuted.

“Nobody who commits such a crime can run away from the law; he or she must face the wrath of the law,” she said.

She said that the vehicle, which was involved in the accident, was in police custody.

Meanwhile, Governor Jonah Jang has commiserated with families of the 14 children crushed by the vehicle.

Jang, who was emotionally moved by the incident, described it as “very shocking and sad“, and cautioned motorists against recklessness on the highway.

“We have lost precious leaders of tomorrow to somebody’s recklessness but all the same, only God knows why; He must have allowed it for a purpose.

“Only God can explain why this large number of young people should die at a go; it is not sickness, it is not war, yet a colossal loss,” he lamented.

Jang charged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure that all the roads within the state were effectively patrolled to check motorists’ recklessness.

Mr Emmanuel Loman, Chairman, Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, thanked the governor for the condolence visit.

He said the council has had various kinds of misfortunes for some time now and that the people had taken solace in God.

“Only God knows why all these are happening to us.”

The children aged between 10 and 18 years, will be buried today.

TYC/MST/NOL