Tragic auto accidents in Kano and Ogun states on Monday resulted in the loss of 27 lives and left several others injured. The Kano crash claimed the lives of 25 individuals, while the Ogun crash led to the demise of two people.
According to reports, the Kano accident occurred at the Dangwaro International Market, located on the outskirts of Kano City. The passengers, who were traveling from Maiduguri to the southern part of the country, were loaded in a trailer along with cows when the incident took place. The trailer collided with another vehicle, causing it to somersault multiple times.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander in Kano, attributed the accident to excessive speed, dangerous driving, and overloading. He stated, “We received a call at about 03:15 am on July 1, 2024. On receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our personnel and a vehicle to the scene of the incident to rescue the victims at 03:30 am.” The rescue operation recovered six motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, animals (goats and rams), maize, and N400,000 in cash, which were all handed over to the police. Unfortunately, 25 of the victims lost their lives, while those who survived were immediately taken to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano for medical attention.
In a separate incident in Ogun State, a passenger bus collided with a truck along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, resulting in the deaths of two passengers. Four others sustained injuries, while 14 individuals escaped unharmed. The accident was caused by the bus driver’s excessive speed, which led to a loss of control and a collision with the truck. The injured victims were taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital for treatment, and the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s morgue.
These tragic accidents serve as a reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving. Authorities have urged motorists to avoid dangerous practices such as overloading vehicles and driving at excessive speeds. Efforts to enforce traffic regulations and educate the public on safe driving practices are crucial in preventing such devastating incidents.