A pregnant woman, Ruth Nen Maurice, has died after being struck by a vehicle whose driver was reportedly attempting to avoid officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office in Jos.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in the city centre. Witnesses said the driver was making a sharp evasive turn while trying to pass a VIO checkpoint when the vehicle lost control and hit the woman at the roadside.
Ruth was said to be waiting for transport to a hospital for antenatal care at the time of the collision. She was reportedly heavily pregnant and close to delivery.
A friend, Ewan Boss Julz Odumu, wrote on Facebook that she was expecting twins. In his post, he said the impact of the incident resulted from the driver’s attempt to escape enforcement officers of the Vehicle Inspection Office.
He added that the unborn children did not survive the incident.
The spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed that the driver has been taken into custody. He also stated that an investigation has begun and the suspect will face prosecution after its conclusion.
Attempts to reach the Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer in Plateau State, Mr Jonathan Zam, were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
