A fatal road accident which occurred in Mairuwa village along the Funtua-Sokoto highway claimed the lives of 15 people on Saturday.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the accident to preventable causes, pointing to vehicle maintenance issues and driver negligence as key factors.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. when a Toyota Hiace bus carrying passengers from Kano suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control.
The bus then collided head-on with a Sino truck belonging to the Dangote Group, leading to multiple fatalities, with most victims being passengers in the bus.
According to a statement by FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, the crash involved 28 people: 23 male adults, 1 female adult, 1 male child, and 3 female children. Of those, 15 individuals—11 male adults, 1 female adult, and 3 female children—lost their lives. Thirteen others sustained injuries and were transported to Funtua General Hospital for treatment.
FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasising the need for proper vehicle maintenance and adherence to traffic regulations to avoid such tragedies.
He urged transport unions, fleet operators, and individual vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and highlighted the importance of routine checks, observing speed limits, and following traffic laws to prevent similar incidents.
