The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the deaths of 25 travelers and injuries to 53 others in an early morning auto crash.
The accident occurred at the Dangwaro International Market in the metropolitan area of Kano City.
The travelers, who were packed into a trailer along with cows, were headed south from Maiduguri when the trailer collided with another vehicle and overturned.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the state FRSC Sector Commander, confirmed the incident in a statement in Kano. He said the crash involved an IVECO trailer with registration number XA 311 ZB.
“We received a call at about 03:15 am 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 03:30 am,” Ibrahim said.
The Sector Commander attributed the accident to excessive speed, dangerous driving, and overloading, which led to a loss of control. During the rescue operation, items recovered included six motorcycles, ten mobile phones, animals (goats and rams), maize, and N400,000.
Abdullahi said the recovered items were in police custody. “All the victims were immediately conveyed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano for urgent medical attention. The doctors on duty confirmed 25 dead out of the victims,” he stated.
He also warned motorists against the unsafe practice of transporting animals and goods alongside human beings.
