Sokoto: Weeping as road crash claims 15 lives

A tragic road accident on Saturday claimed the lives of 15 people in Mairuwa village, along the Funtua-Sokoto highway.

The Federal Road Safety Corps described the incident as “avoidable and preventable,” citing poor vehicle maintenance and driver negligence as primary factors.

According to a statement signed by the state FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Saturday, the crash occurred around 11 am when a Toyota Hiace bus, carrying passengers from Kano, experienced a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control.

The bus then collided head-on with a Sino truck operated by the Dangote Group. The impact resulted in multiple casualties, with most of the deceased 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 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. Punch