Auto Crash Claims 16 lives In Niger

BY MAIRIGA Juliana, Minna
Less than a month after 13 people lost their lives along the Bida-Minna road due to what citizens attribute to deplorable conditions of the intra-state roads in Niger state, another accident has occurred on the same road on, claiming about 16 lives.
The most recent accident, according to eye witness account occurred at Kakakpagi village after Kataeregi town in the Katcha local government area of the state.
The accident involving a Toyota Hiace bus conveying traders coming all the way from Oyo state to Minna and a Tanker loaded with fuel reroute Bida town occurred after a head on collision resulting in both vehicles bursting into flames.
The source who attributed the cause of accident to one of the vehicles trying to avoid a pot holes leading to the head-on collision said the driver of the commercial bus and about 15 passengers therein were trapped leading to their being roasted to death.
The number of casualties could not be confirmed and if occupants of the fuel tanker, including the driver actually escaped, but sympathisers at the scene of the accident told our correspondent how passers-by battled without success to rescue any of the travelers.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Niger state Sector Command, Malam Raji Ejigogo confirmed the story but said the command was yet to get details of the incident.
According to Ejigogo, “We cannot say the number of casualties but our emergency accident team has gone to the scene of the accident for an on the spot investigation after which we can get details of casualties.”
Observers have also blamed the frequent accident accompanied by heavy casualty on the road to the deplorable condition of the road which had made it dusty causing impaired vision of motorists plying the busy road.