The University of Mkar in Benue has confirmed the death of its two lecturers, Mr Joshua Leva and Mr Moses Tarnongo, in a motor accident on Oct.10 at a village near Gbatse in Ushongo Local Government Area of the state.
The institution’s Registrar, Rev. Emmanuel Astor, who confirmed the deaths on Sunday in Makurdi, said one of the lecturers, Tarnongo, also lost his wife and three children during the incident.
The accident occurred near Gbatse village in Ushongo Local Government Area of the state, and the two deceased lecturers were from the Department of Mass Communication of the university.
Pix below: scene of the accident
The registrar said the victims were on transit to Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area to see a friend when the incident occurred.
“Yes. They were involved in an accident on their way to see one cleric in Adikpo. One staff, who also drove was with a friend from Tor Donga village. The other staff was with his wife and three kids.
“All seven people are dead, and lying at Oostra Gum Hospital, Ushongo, Benue State,” he said
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had earlier confirmed the death of seven passengers involved in a road accident at Gbatse Village in Ushongo Local Government Area of the state.
FRSC Public Enlightenment Officer in the state, DRC Joyce Akura, in Makurdi said that the incident occurred along Ugbema-Adikpo road late Saturday.
Akura said that the accident involved two vehicles – a truck with registration number WKR 496 XA and a Toyota car with registration number MKD 300 NH.
She said that 12 passengers were involved in the crash.
She explained that seven passengers were confirmed dead, one was injured and was receiving treatment, while the remaining four escaped unhurt.
The FRSC official said the cause of the accident had yet to be ascertained, adding that the corps would conduct a “crash investigation’’ to determine the cause of the crash.
“Twelve passengers were involved in the crash; nine were males, three females.
“The accident was between two vehicles, a Man-diesel truck with registration number WKR 496 XA and a Toyota car with registration number MKD 300 NH,’’ she said.
She said the dead bodies had already been deposited at a morgue in Ushongo.
In a tribute on Facebook, one of his friends, Bright Yima Antyo wrote:
:Mr Leva Joshua, I never knew the call you put across to me on Monday 5/10/20 was a call to see me for the last time. I had a patient in the hospital and could not make it to you, but we promised seeing afterwards which we didn’t.
“You were my lecturer but we became friends, you introduced me to your family and friends as if we were blood.
😭😭 It’s just so hard for me to believe you died in that crash.
Sir(the title you never wanted me to address you with), you were indeed a good man, ever sacrificing for other’s comfort.
“You will be greatly missed.
“To even make it clumsy for me, you were with Mr Moses Tarnongo your friend and colleague who happens to be a brother to me😭😭😭with his wife and kids.
“Kai, this day 10102020 is indeed a Black Day for UNIMKAR.”
a Black Day for Mass Communication Department.