Peace Mass Transit explains why accident victims were buried without families’ consent
Several weeks after no lesser than fourteen lives were lost to a tragic accident involving a bus belonging to the Peace Mass Transit company, families of the victims are only just getting to know what became of their loved ones’ bodies.
The PMT 16-passenger bus had been involved in a head-on collision with another car in Itobe, Kogi State along the Abuja-Lokoja road, on August 14.
Families of the victims immediately began to raise questions about the company’s decision to bury their remains in the bush without proper documentation and consent.
The families alleged that PMT wanted to cover up its negligence.
The PMT company has only just released a statement, clarifying that the victims were buried by first responders who it said were “acting in good conscience”.
It explained that the unfortunate accident occurred after a Peugeot 406 saloon car, which was carrying a gas cylinder, ran into its 16-passenger minibus while trying to overtake another vehicle.
The collision resulted in an explosion and fire, which burnt the vehicles’ occupants.
PMT, in an attempt to exonerate itself from any wrongdoing, said in a statement on Monday, that it was “regrettable that national emergency first responders at the scene of the accident and natives of the area, apparently acting in good conscience, made the decision to honourably clear the thoroughfare, and inter the remains of deceased victims together, nearby.
“These same compatriots had also risked their lives to defy raging gas fire to pull out some passengers alive, moving them to hospital for treatment. The life of every mortal is indeed in the hands of God, and at PMT, no safety consideration or concern is postponed for action for even a second, and the regulatory agencies can bear us out.”
It also said that the “cultural and religious belief” of those who were first to the scene played a role in the interment of victims.
“Given a different scenario and circumstances, on another day, certain impulsive actions allowed on that occasion may have been handled differently, with more regard to peculiar sensibilities. Cultural and religious belief of those around also played a role here, but then, the noble motive and selfless efforts of these patriots that were on ground, could be put in the proper perspective, and appreciated,” it said.
“We mourn our cherished passengers who were affected to no end, and send our heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Your loss is our loss! We place high premium on the welfare and safety of our dear Passengers. Clearly, we are in this situation, together. Please, be comforted.”
“We have kept in touch with majority of bereaved families and in frantic, committed efforts to reach the others whose contact details are not easily discernible from the travel manifest,” it added.
Efforts by Newsroom to get additional information from PMT on the first responders’ decision to bury the victims have been unsuccessful, as a call placed to the company was unresponsive. Our mail and text message have also not been replied to at the time of this report.
One of the families of the victims, Victor Levi, who said he lost a cousin and his two friends, however, declined to comment on whether their bodies have been recovered.
