By Abimbola Ogunnaike
At least 12 persons died and 28 others sustained injuries in a road accident along the Zaria-Kano Expressway in Kaduna State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Kaduna State Sector Commander, Kabir Nadabo, confirmed the sad development during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Monday.
According to Nadabo, the fatal road traffic crash occurred at Tashar Yari village at 7.36 am on Monday, 4 March, 2024.
“The trailer with a registration number KTG 454 ZZ was travelling to Kano when the unfortunate incident occurred,” Nadabo said.
He said that the cause of the crash was wrongful overtaking, speeding, and overloading, which sadly resulted in a high number of fatalities.
Nadabo said the Chairman of Makarfi Local Government and the Unit Commander, Tashar Yari were on the ground to assess the incident.
He said that an investigation of the incident has revealed that 40 people were involved in the crash, 28 got injured and 12 died.
“The injured were conveyed to the Makarfi General Hospital for further treatment.
“The owner of the vehicle, who is in Azare, Bauchi State has been informed and directed to report to the Kaduna Sector Command, while the driver of the trailer was reportedly among the deceased, “he said.
Nadabo said that the accident was avoidable, adding,” Hence our resolve to continue to reach out to the stakeholders, particularly transport unions.
”This is to preach and sensitise their drivers on the dangers of speeding, overloading, dangerous driving, and the use of cellphones while driving, among others.
“The Corps in Kaduna will strive to continue to work hard and liaise with transport Stakeholders and the media in preaching the word of safety.”
Nadabo appealed to motorists to imbibe the culture of safe driving, particularly on the highways.
The expressway has been a carnage recently.
In June 2023, at least i8 passengers 18 were feared dead, following an auto crash that occurred at Zakirai town, on Kano-Ringim Road in Gabasawa Local Government Area of the state.
In another crash in November later in the year, four persons were also confirmed dead following a tragic road accident near Dinyar Madiga village in Takai Local Government Area of Kano State.
