15 Killed in Sokoto Road Crash

A tragic accident on the Funtua-Sokoto highway claimed 15 lives in Mairuwa village on Saturday. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the incident to poor vehicle maintenance and driver negligence, calling it both “avoidable and preventable.” The crash involved a Toyota Hiace bus, traveling from Kano, which suffered a tyre burst, leading the driver to lose control and collide head-on with a Sino truck operated by the Dangote Group.

The FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, explained that the crash occurred around 11 am, involving 28 individuals: 23 male adults, one female adult, one male child, and three female children. Sadly, 15 of these individuals, including 11 male adults, one female adult, and three female children, lost their lives. Thirteen others, with various injuries, were taken to Funtua General Hospital for urgent medical care.

FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed concern over the frequent occurrence of such accidents due to inadequate vehicle maintenance. He emphasized that strict adherence to traffic laws, including regular vehicle checks and observing speed limits, could have averted this tragedy. Mohammed warned drivers must prioritize vehicle upkeep and lawful driving practices to enhance road safety.

Furthermore, the FRSC chief urged transport unions, fleet operators, and private vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. He highlighted the collective duty of all road users to adhere to safe driving practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.