By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Executive Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Area, Hon. Pirfa Jingfa Tyem, has called on the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to intensify the enforcement of safety measures at motor parks following a deadly Langtang road crash that claimed six lives.The fatal accident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Monday at Zangzat Roundabout in Langtang town, Plateau State. A Plateau State–registered truck with registration number JJN 383 YZ, conveying traders and goods from Yelwa to Kano, was involved in the crash.
Preliminary findings indicated that over-speeding and overloading were the primary causes of the accident. Six persons died on the spot, while 13 others sustained injuries of varying degrees and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Hon. Tyem made the call during an on-the-spot assessment of the accident scene, where he expressed concern over the recurring loss of lives on major roads within the local government area. He emphasized that reckless driving practices, particularly among truck drivers, continue to pose serious risks to road users.The council chairman urged the NURTW to strengthen internal monitoring mechanisms and ensure that drivers adhere strictly to speed limits and loading regulations. He stressed that transport unions play a critical role in promoting road safety and preventing avoidable tragedies such as the Langtang road crash.
Speaking during the visit, the spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Jesse Ivan, said the agency had directed its officers to intensify sensitization and enforcement activities across markets and motor parks. According to him, special attention will be given to discouraging the practice of perching on overloaded vehicles and ensuring compliance with speed regulations.Also addressing the delegation, the Council Secretary, Gwamzhi Danjuma, described overloading as a major contributor to road traffic accidents, particularly those involving heavy-duty vehicles. He noted that excessive load often compromises vehicle control and increases the severity of crashes.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Langtang North Local Government Council, Kum Precious Yakubu, the chairman was said to have proceeded to the General Hospital, Langtang, as part of his visit. There, he sympathized with victims of the accident and other patients receiving treatment.The statement added that Hon. Tyem donated an undisclosed amount of money to assist in offsetting hospital bills for the accident victims, as well as other patients in the male, female, and delivery wards who were present at the time of his visit. The gesture, he explained, was aimed at easing the financial burden on affected families.
Hospital officials also informed the chairman that some families had transferred their injured relatives to other medical facilities for further treatment before his arrival. Hon. Tyem extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Langtang road crash and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He reaffirmed the commitment of the local government council to collaborating with the FRSC, NURTW, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen road safety awareness and prevent future accidents.
