Tinubu, Umaru Bago grief as 25 people killed, others injured in Niger road crash

No fewer than 25 people were confirmed dead while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries when a truck carrying them veered out of control and crashed in Niger State, Nigeria’s north central.

Spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corp, Bisi Kazeem said the crash occurred on Tuesday in Takalafia village, in the Magama local government area of the state.

“The injured victims have been evacuated to Kantagora General Hospital for immediate medical attention, while the dead victims were deposited in the mortuary of the same hospital,” Kazeem said in a statement.

Road accidents are commonplace in Africa’s most populous country, mostly caused by poor road conditions. Crashes are frequent, particularly at night with vehicles poorly lit.

While reacting to the unfortunate incident, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, described it as a harrowing tragedy.

The president condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

On his part, the Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed shock over the crash in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.

The governor cautioned drivers to desist from conveying passengers in such vehicles, while decrying the carelessness of some drivers, especially those violating the established traffic rules.

While commiserating with the families of those who died in the crash, the Governor prayed to Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them Aljannah Firdausi as well as grant quick recovery to those who were injured.

The trailer was said to be heading to Lagos from Sokoto State conveying 229 people comprising men, women and children.

Out of the 229 people, 25 were dead while others were rescued with various degrees of injury, the statement added.

The injured victims are currently receiving medical attention at the Kantagora General Hospital, while the dead victims have been deposited in the mortuary of the same hospital.