Police Absolve Dangote Transport Company in Truck Accident

The Nigeria Police, in a report have absolved the Dangote Transport Company of any fault in a fatal accident involving one of its Howo trucks, which collided with an 18-seater Toyota bus belonging to the Gombe State Transport Company, at Gazok village, Farin-Lamba, Vwang District on Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, on August 3.

According to the police findings, “The primary cause of the accident was due to mechanical fault which could be as a result of poor maintenance attitude from the driver of the Toyota bus.” As a result of the accident, eight persons lost their lives while ten others sustained various forms of injuries.

The outcome was contained in a two-page Police investigation report sent by the Nigeria Police, Divisional Vom Division, Jos, Plateau State, to the Head of Operations (HOO), Dangote Cement Transport Company, Gboko Plant, Benue State, which was signed by the Divisional Police Officer, Kaduna-Vom Division, CSP Abubakar A. Omade.

According to the report, “From investigation carried out, the following facts emerge: That the two vehicles were travelling in opposite direction, with the Howo truck coming from Farin Lamba axis while the Toyota bus was coming from Riyom L.G.A.

“That at Gazok village, the right back tyre of the Toyota bus burst, forcing the driver to lose control, veered to the opposite lane and had collision with the Howo truck. That after the collision with the Toyota bus, the Howo truck went and crushed a Boxer Bajaj motorcycle parked by the road side.

“That as a result of the mishap, eight persons as listed above lost their lives and 10 others sustained various degrees of injuries. That on the request of the deceased relations and considering the bad condition of the corpses, they were all released to their various relations for burial.

“Opinion/Conclusion: In view of the above, it could be seen that the primary cause of the accident was due to mechanical fault which could be as a result of poor maintenance attitude from the driver of the Toyota bus. If he had survived the accident, he will be charged to court for reckless/dangerous driving and poor maintenance culture contrary to Section 28 and 40 respectively of the Road Traffic Act (R.T.A.) But unfortunately, he lost his life in the accident which makes it difficult for him to be prosecuted in the court.” Omade added.

In an earlier release, the DTC had noted that “the accident happened at Vom, an outskirt village to Jos on August 3. According to our driver and the police, an oncoming bus had a burst tyre and lost control. The bus left its lane and hit our truck which was on its own lane. The truck is GBK-2C-016 DUT81XA, which was empty from Gombe depot.

“We sent our men to the police station and they met the IPO, Mr. John, and the DPO. According to the IPO, the police report will be released when they meet the owner of the bus. They will be going to Keffi to locate the bus owner because they said no one from the third party reported the case up till now except us,” the company added.