Tragedy struck on Friday as 16 persons were confirmed dead in a road crash at the Muhammadu Buhari Interchange Flyover, Hotoro area in Kano.
Abdullahi Labaran, Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Sector Command, made the disclosure in a statement released on Friday.
“Upon receiving the distress call, the FRSC Kano rescue team, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, promptly moved to the scene to carry out a rescue operation and restore normal traffic flow,” he said.
He stated that the preliminary crash report indicated that the accident involved a trailer DAF carrying goods and a total of 71 passengers, attributing the accident to dangerous driving due to overspeeding, which resulted in the loss of control.
“The total number of people involved was 71 while the total number of injured was 52 and total fatalities were 16,” he stated.
According to Labaran, the injured victims were immediately evacuated to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, for urgent medical attention.
“In response to the tragic incident, the Sector Commander, FRSC Kano Sector Command, CC UM Matazu, has dispatched an investigation team to conduct a thorough inquiry into the crash,” he added.
He also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured victims.
While calling on all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations, the sector commander warned drivers and the general public against overloading of trailers with goods, animals, and passengers, emphasising that such dangerous practices significantly increase the risk of fatal crashes.
