According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Sector Command, the Muhammadu Buhari Interchange Flyover in the Hotoro neighbourhood of Kano was the scene of a traffic accident on Friday that claimed 16 lives.
In a statement issued on Friday, Abdullahi Labaran, the command’s public relations officer, confirmed the tragedy.
“Upon receiving the distress call, the FRSC Kano rescue team, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, promptly moved to the scene to carry out a rescue operation and restore normal traffic flow,” he said.
According to the preliminary collision report, he said, the accident involved a trailer DAF carrying 71 passengers and goods. He blamed the tragedy on reckless driving, specifically over speeding, which caused the vehicle to lose control.
“The total number of people involved was 71 while the total number of injured was 52 and total fatalities were 16,” he stated.
Labaran claims that the injured victims received quick evacuation to Kano’s Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in order to receive urgent medical care.
“In response to the tragic incident, the Sector Commander, FRSC Kano Sector Command, CC UM Matazu, has dispatched an investigation team to conduct a thorough inquiry into the crash,” he added.
In addition, he prayed for the injured victims’ speedy recovery and offered his condolences to the relatives of the departed.
The sector commander cautioned drivers and the public against packing trailers full of passengers, cargo, and animals, highlighting that such risky practices greatly raise the likelihood of fatal collisions, while urging all drivers to strictly follow traffic laws and regulations.