At least 12 people have lost their lives in a fatal road accident that occurred in the early hours of Friday along the Zaria–Kano Highway, near Samawa Village in Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State.
The crash involved a DAF trailer (registration number KMC 931 ZE), reportedly carrying both passengers and goods. Preliminary investigations revealed that a mechanical failure caused the accident — specifically, a broken cab hook led to the detachment of the vehicle’s cab from its trailer, resulting in loss of control.
Out of the 19 individuals onboard, 12 were confirmed dead, five sustained various injuries, while two others escaped without harm.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in a statement by its Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, confirmed that the deceased have been moved to the Nasarawa Hospital Mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Kura General Hospital.
FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the incident as “entirely avoidable,” emphasizing the need for commercial operators to retire aging, unsafe vehicles from their fleets. He also condemned the dangerous practice of transporting passengers alongside goods and animals, warning that such violations will now attract stricter penalties.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has once again called on transport owners to prioritise periodic fleet renewal and proper vehicle maintenance following a tragic lone crash that claimed 12 lives at Samawa Village,” the statement read in part.
Mohammed stressed that the recurring nature of such avoidable tragedies highlights the urgent need for haulage operators to modernize their fleets and comply with safety standards. He reiterated that road safety is a collective responsibility and urged stakeholders across the transport sector to work together to prevent further loss of life on Nigeria’s roads.
Post a Comment