A motor accident claimed the lives of 16 supporters from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Plateau state.

The accident happened on Saturday, January 14, at Jwak village, Panyam district of Mangu LGA, after the zonal rally of the party which took place in Pankshin.

Peter Longsan (FRSC public education officer in Plateau), said that 16 of the 99 passengers in the truck carrying the PDP members were killed. The accident also caused injuries to 83 other people. They are currently being treated at Mangu's hospital.

Longsan said;

“It was a lone crash involving a truck conveying people from a political campaign rally of the PDP.

“Ninety-nine people were involved, 16 people, mainly adult males were killed in the crash, while 83 sustained various degrees of injury.

“The unfortunate incident occurred as a result of excessive speeding and overloading, which led to loss of control that resulted in the crash.”

Confirming the incident, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the party, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

He tweeted;

“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.”