Families of three men hit by a drunk driver in the Rayfield area of Jos South Local Government Area in Plateau State have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding justice for their relatives.
The three young men, Isaac Dung, Nathan Bayei and Chomo Dachung, were returning from watching the Arsenal vs. Manchester United match on August 17 when the drunk driver rammed into the fence of a building, causing severe damage to their legs, leading to the amputation of two of them while one suffered paralysis and are currently at the Potters Specialist hospital, Jos
A spokesman for the families on Tuesday, described the situation as inhuman, saying the families are not happy that the driver who was arrested after the accident was released by the police to a surety who promised to foot the bills for a surgery but after paying the sum of N2 million from a bill of N8 million, promptly disappeared.
A sister of one of the victims, Jemimah Bayei, who also spoke on the incident, said after the incident, the victims were rushed to the hospital but with the severity of the injuries, the doctors had no option but to have their legs amputated as they were severely damaged.
Jemimah further noted that after the incident, all parties had agreed that the driver’s family would cover all the victims’ medical expenses, which currently amount to about N8 million, even before the end of the treatment.
However, she alleged that the guardian of the driver, Mr Bulus Damul who stood in for the driver, has reneged on the agreement, leaving the families with a burden they cannot afford.
“Mr Damul had earlier agreed to pay for the medical expenses, but is no longer responding to the payment. He is also not responding to our calls. He doesn’t show any concern for what they’ve done to the victims’ lives. We have also learned that the driver, who was earlier arrested, has been released without our knowledge because they are very influential,” Jemimah said.
Another relative of a victim, Mrs Bridget Pam, lamented what she described as an injustice, calling on the relevant authorities to assist them.
“We have been left with medical expenses that we cannot afford. My brother cannot sleep; he has lost his leg completely. We are urging the relevant authorities to compel the family to cover the medical expenses of our brothers,” she said.
Mr Damul who reacted to the accusation that he abandoned the victims to their fate, denied not responding to their calls, claiming that he had gone to the hospital to visit the victims with his family and his pastor.
“Initially, I agreed to pay 80 per cent of the medical expenses and the victims’ family would pay 20 per cent. I have already paid N2 million. However, the controversy started when they later brought an MOU stating that I must pay N30 million as the estimated medical bill, or if I don’t set aside that amount, I would pay N75 million.
“From there, I said no, because that was not the initial agreement. I am also responding to their calls; I never said I would take them to court,” he said.
