15 Killed In Sokoto Road Accident

A devastating road accident on Saturday claimed the lives of 15 individuals in Mairuwa village along the Funtua-Sokoto highway.

According to a statement by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the crash was “avoidable and preventable,” with poor vehicle maintenance and driver negligence cited as the primary causes.

The incident occurred around 11 am when a Toyota Hiace bus from Kano suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control.

The bus then collided head-on with a Sino truck operated by the Dangote Group, resulting in multiple fatalities.

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Of the 28 people involved in the crash, 15 died, including 11 male adults, 1 female adult, and 3 female children, while the remaining 13 individuals, who sustained varying injuries, were rushed to Funtua General Hospital for medical treatment.

In a statement signed by the state FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Saturday, the FRSC said: “The Mairuwa crash involved a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number MRR 83 XA, which was carrying passengers from Kano and experienced a tyre burst in Mairuwa village.

“The tyre burst led to a loss of control, causing the driver to crash head-on into a Sino truck belonging to the Dangote Group. A total of 28 people were involved, comprising 23 male adults, 1 female adult, 1 male child, and 3 female children. Of this number, 13 victims (11 male adults, 1 female adult, and 1 male child) were rescued with varying injuries.

“Meanwhile, 15 victims comprising 11 male adults, 1 female adult, and 3 female children were killed. Most of the casualties were passengers on the bus,” the statement read in part.

FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed concern over the recurring issue of poor vehicle maintenance on Nigerian roads and emphasized that adherence to traffic regulations, including routine vehicle checks and observing legal speed limits, could have prevented the tragedy.

“If the driver had observed the established legal speed limits, ensured adequate vehicle maintenance, and complied with traffic regulations, the crash would have been avoided,” he said.