From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Twenty-five passengers were killed, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries in another tragic road accident which occurred in Kano, yesterday.
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi. The incident occurred at Dangwaro International Market, in the outskirts of the metropolitan area of Kano City.
The passengers, who were coming from Maiduguri, were reportedly loaded in a trailer alongside cows and were heading to the Southern part of the country. However, the trailer collided with another vehicle and somersaulted severally. The commandant said the accident involved a trailer (IVECO) with registration number XA 311 ZB.
“We received a call at about 03:15am, on July 1, 2024. On receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our personnel and vehicle to the scene of the incident to rescue the victims at 03:30am,” Ibrahim said.
The commander said the accident occurred as a result of excessive speed, dangerous driving and overloading which led to loss of control. He further explained that during the rescue operation, items recovered include six motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, animals (goats and rams), maize and N400,000 cash. Abdullahi said all the recovered items had been handed over to police.
“All the victims were immediately conveyed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, for urgent medical attention. The doctors on duty confirmed 25 dead out of the victims”, he said.
He warned motorists against unsafe practices of transporting animals, goods, along with human beings. Last Friday, 14 worshippers were killed in another accident after a trailer rammed into a group of worshippers who were praying by the roadside.
Meanwhile, the new Commissioner of Police, Kano State, Salman Dogo Garba, yesterday, visited the accident scene. Accompanied by top police officers in the state, the commissioner prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and conveyed his condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased.
The police boss, thereafter, emphasised the importance of safe driving and accident prevention measures on the highways. He equally visited Sheka and Kwanar Goda Quarters in the state, where he assessed clearance operations conducted against thuggery and criminal activities in the area.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the state police command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the visit was part of the dedication of the command towards upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ensuring the safety and security of Kano State residents.