No fewer than 15 lives in Mairuwa village have been lost in a tragic road accident along the Funtua-Sokoto highway on Saturday.
The Federal Road Safety Corps called the tragic accident “avoidable and preventable,” blaming poor vehicle maintenance and driver irresponsibility as the key causes.
According to a statement issued by the state FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Saturday, the collision occurred about 11 a.m. when a Toyota Hiace bus transporting Kano passengers suffered a tire burst, forcing the driver to lose control.
The bus then crashed with a Sino truck operated by the Dangote Group.
The hit caused numerous casualties, with the majority of the victims being bus passengers.
“The Mairuwa crash involved a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number MRR 83 XA, which was carrying passengers from Kano and experienced a tire burst in Mairuwa village. The tire 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.
The remaining 13 people, who had incurred various injuries, were taken to Funtua General Hospital for medical attention.
In response to the event, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed voiced significant worry about the ongoing issue of inadequate vehicle upkeep on Nigerian highways.
Mohammed added that adhering to traffic regulations such as frequent checks and following legal speed limits could have prevented the accident.
“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 warned.
The FRSC chairman also urged transport unions, fleet operators, and individual vehicle owners to emphasise safety by keeping their cars roadworthy.
He emphasised that it is everyone’s obligation to drive safely in order to avoid future accidents.
