An early morning accident along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway claimed 21 lives, on Thursday.
The accident, Daily Trust learnt, involved a trailer truck and a passenger Hummer bus heading for Kano and Batsari town in Katsina State.
An official of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who participated in the rescue operation, said three passengers who survived the accident were rushed to the Umaru Musa Memorial Hospital in Sabon-Wuse town, for medical attention, while the remains of the victims were deposited at the hospital's morgue.
He noted that the accident took place close to a route diversion that forced all motorists from the two opposite directions to drive on a single lane.
It was gathered that the driver of the articulated vehicle had fled the scene, leaving behind his vehicle along with another container truck, blocking the ever busy way.
There was a report of traffic buildup from two axes of the expressway as at the time of filing this report.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Tafa Division, S.P Idris Ibrahim, confirmed the incident, but said he is in the process of compiling his report to the state command.
Contacted, the command's spokesperson, ASP Mansur Hassan, didn't respond to calls as at the time of filing this report.
Similarly, at least nine people have lost their lives in a road accident that occurred along popularly Zaria Road in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, leaving three others with various degrees of injuries.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
The spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano State Command, Abdullahi Labaran, in a statement, said the tragic crash occurred on Wednesday 10th September, 2024.
Abdullahi explained that the crash, which involved a truck and a tricycle, affected a total of 12 people.
"Unfortunately, nine people lost their lives in the accident, while three others sustained injuries," he added.
The victims were evacuated to Kura General Hospital for urgent medical attention.
He also said preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by wrongful overtaking, which led to the loss of control of the vehicle.
While advising road users to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary loitering and hawking along the highways to avoid similar tragedies, Labaran reiterated that the command was committed to ensuring safer roads for all.
He also added that the FRSC would continue to engage in public enlightenment and enforcement activities to curb the rising menace of accidents.
The Kano Sector Commander of Mr. Ahmed Mohammed has expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured.
He reiterated the importance of adhering to traffic rules and regulations and urged drivers to maintain safe speed when approaching major towns along the highways.
