A tragic road crash has claimed the lives of 21 people along the Zaria-Kano highway, near Dakatsalle Market in Kano State, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.
The accident, which occurred on Sunday, involved a Toyota Hummer Bus (KMC 171 YM) and a trailer (GWL 422 ZE). According to a statement by Abdullahi Labaran, the Public Relations Officer of the FRSC Kano Sector Command, preliminary investigations revealed that the crash was caused by route violation and wrongful overtaking by the driver of the Hummer Bus, leading to a head-on collision with the trailer.
The collision triggered a fire outbreak, engulfing both vehicles and resulting in mass fatalities.
Upon receiving the alert, FRSC Sector Commander, Corps Commander MB Bature, activated emergency response efforts, involving the Federal and State Fire Services, while rescue teams rushed to the scene for evacuation and recovery operations.
Out of the 24 people involved, 21 were confirmed dead at the scene, while the remaining three sustained injuries and were rushed to Garun Malam General Hospital for treatment. The charred remains of the deceased were deposited at the Nassarawa Hospital Mortuary in Kano.
The FRSC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, swiftly cleared the obstruction and restored normal traffic flow along the busy highway.
Expressing profound sorrow, the Sector Command extended condolences to the families of the victims and offered prayers for the injured.
The FRSC also reiterated the need for motorists to strictly adhere to road safety regulations, especially avoiding dangerous driving practices, route violations, and night travels, which are often linked to high fatality crashes.
