The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Jigawa State Command, has confirmed the death of nine persons in a fatal auto crash that occurred on Friday in the Ringim Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Gambo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that 50 persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the incident that occurred at about 6:15 a.m. on Ringim-Chaichai by Kwanar shafar road.
Gambo said the incident was reported to the Corps at about 6:23 a.m. and it responded by arriving at the scene at about 6:30 a.m. and taking the victims to Ringim General Hospital for medical attention.
He explained that 70 people were involved in the accident involving an articulated vehicle (DAF Trailer) with registration number TAR 357 XA, driven by Babangida Muhammad.
The spokesperson attributed the cause of the crash to a speed violation by the driver of the vehicle.
However, the Police Command in the state, said 13 persons lost their lives while 32 others sustained injuries in the incident.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Lawan Shiisu, said the truck, loaded with over 50 passengers, cattle, and goats, was from Maigatari LGA and heading to Lagos state.
“That on April 1, 2022, at about 0630hrs, information at our disposal revealed that a trailer truck with registration no TAR 357 XA, loaded with about 53 passengers, cows, and goats from Maigatari LGA and heading to Lagos state and driven by one Babangida Mohammed, aged 28, of Azare LGA in Bauchi state, had an accident.
“The unfortunate incident happened when the said driver lost control on reaching a point called Kwanar Shafar in Ringim Area, and as a result, the vehicle fell and overturned.
“A team of Policemen rushed to the scene on a rescue mission, where 13 persons, namely; Sani Alhaji-Ado, aged 25, Saleh Yusuf, 53, Aminu Mohammed, 35, Haruna Maigari, 20, Haruna Ubali, 25, Abdurrazak Lauwali, 30, all of Maigatari LGA, Abdulmutallib Hamza, 20, of Kaugama LGA, Anas Ibrahim, 35, of Garki LGA, all in Jigawa state, Naziru Khalid, 30, of Gabasawa LGA in Kano state, Nuraddeen Mohammed, 25, of Dangora Dingas in the Niger Republic and three others that are yet to be identified, were confirmed dead.”
“In the same vein, about 32 persons were conveyed to Ringim General Hospital for treatment, where four of them – Adamu Gagare, aged 30, of Maigatari LGA, Ado Habu, 20, of Kaugama LGA, Rabiu Ibrahim, 35, of Machina LGA in Yobe state, Arma, 40, of Dokin Fulani in Katsina state, were referred to Rashid Shekoni Teaching Hospital, Dutse for further treatment,” Shiisu said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Aliyu Sale, has condoled with the families of the deceased passengers and sympathized with the injured.
The spokesperson quoted the Sale as advising drivers to avoid speeding, wrongful overtaking, making, or receiving phone calls while driving.
According to him, the Police boss also urged drivers to inculcate the habit of checking their tyres, brakes, and other essential parts of their vehicles, as well as ensure that they sleep adequately before embarking on journeys.