No fewer than 14 people have lost their lives following a head-on collision between two vehicles in Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The accident occurred on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at about 11:20 am.
According to Jigawa Police Command spokesperson, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, the accident involved a DAF truck with registration number GMB 242 KD traveling from Kanya market and a Toyota Hiace, with registration number XA 381 GAS, coming from Kano to Kanya market.
The DAF truck was approaching an immigration checkpoint when the Hiace bus, allegedly attempting to evade checks, rammed into it.
He noted that the Toyota Hiace, overloaded with goods and speeding, tried to maneuver around the checkpoint when he veered into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision with the DAF truck.
“When the immigration officers stopped it (the Hiace bus), the driver refused to stop and attempted to get around the checkpoint by veering into the other lane. As a result, he collided head-on with the aforementioned DAF truck.”
Adam confirmed that 14 passengers died instantly at the scene, while four others sustained severe injuries.
He stated that upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Kanya Division and his patrol team immediately rushed to the scene. Adding that the corpses and those injured were promptly evacuated to Kanya Babba Hospital, while the hospital’s duty doctor confirmed the deaths, and the injured are currently receiving medical attention.
“On their arrival, corpses and injured were evacuated and rushed to Kanya Babba Hospital. Corpses were certified dead by a doctor on duty, while the injured are receiving medical attention.”