How 6 died, seven-month-old infant, 11 others sustained injuries in tragic auto crash on Makurdi-Otukpo highway

By Benedicta Aboh

Six passengers have been confirmed dead following a gruesome accident involving an 18-seater Benue Links bus and a truck belonging to CHEC Construction Company along the Makurdi-Otukpo highway.

The crash occurred on Friday evening at approximately 4:00 pm near the abandoned Benue Burnt Bricks site.

According to sources, the ill-fated bus, which was carrying passengers to Otukpo, was few kilometers from its destination when the collision occurred.

Eyewitnesses said five passengers died instantly at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo (FUHSTHO), where survivors were rushed for medical attention.

An eyewitness recounted: “It is really unfortunate. The passengers were almost in Otukpo when the truck ran into them along the dusty road caused by ongoing construction. Visibility was poor, and the truck driver probably did not see the bus coming, resulting in the deaths of five passengers on the spot and another at the hospital.”

The surviving 12 passengers, including a seven-month-old infant, sustained injuries ranging from fractures to chest trauma and hemorrhages. Hospital sources confirmed that, under the guidance of medical professionals, the victims are responding positively to treatment.

Confirming the incident, Benue Links’ Public Relations Officer, Johnson Ehi, stated: “The casualty figure is six — five males and one female. The bus was en route from Makurdi to Otukpo when the truck collided with it. We are overseeing the treatment of the remaining 12 passengers at FUHSTHO.”

Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.