Tragedy struck in Jos, Plateau State, after a pregnant woman identified as Ruth Nen Maurice lost her life in an accident involving a driver allegedly attempting to evade officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday in the city centre while the driver was trying to escape from VIO operatives.
Eyewitnesses said the deceased was standing by the roadside waiting for a vehicle to take her to a hospital for antenatal care when the speeding vehicle struck her.
A friend of the deceased, Ewan Boss Julz Odumu, who mourned her on Facebook, described the incident as heartbreaking, alleging that the driver was performing a dangerous manoeuvre while trying to flee from the checkpoint.
He disclosed that the deceased was heavily pregnant with twins and was close to delivery before the fatal accident occurred.
“A mother who was preparing to welcome twins never returned home alive,” he lamented.
The spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the driver had been arrested.
According to him, investigations into the matter had commenced, adding that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of the probe.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Plateau State Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Jonathan Zam, were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to him were not answered as of the time of filing this report.