NO fewer than 21 people lost their lives in a road crash that occurred along the Zaria–Kano highway on Sunday morning.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the accident, which took place around 8:23 a.m. at Kasuwar Dogo in the Dakatsalle area, involved a DAF trailer with registration number GWL 422 ZE and a Toyota Hummer bus with registration number KMC 171 YM.
According to the the Kano State Sector Command of the FRSC, preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of the Hummer bus violated traffic rules by driving against the flow of traffic, resulting in a devastating head-on collision with the oncoming trailer.
The impact triggered a fire outbreak that engulfed both vehicles, leaving most of the victims burnt beyond recognition.
The Kano State Sector Commander, FRSC, M.B Bature, said the Corps’ rescue team, upon receiving the distress report, promptly contacted the Federal and State Fire Services to help put out the blaze while dispatching personnel to the scene to commence rescue and evacuation operations.
“Twenty-four people were involved in the crash. Sadly, 21 persons lost their lives, while three others sustained various degrees of injuries,” the Sector Public Education Officer, CRC Abdullahi Labaran, said.
The charred remains of the deceased were evacuated and deposited at the Nassarawa Hospital Mortuary in Kano, while the injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the Garun Malam General Hospital.
Following the incident, operatives of the FRSC, supported by a tow truck unit (Rs1.2 Kano) and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, worked to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow along the ever-busy highway.
Bature expressed sorrow over the fatal crash, extending his condolences to the families of the victims and praying for the quick recovery of those injured.
He also used the occasion to issue a strong warning to motorists about the dangers of route violations, dangerous overtaking, and night travels—common risk factors in high-fatality road accidents.
“This unfortunate incident is a painful reminder of the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations. Most crashes are avoidable if only road users comply with basic safety protocols,” Bature said.
He urged commercial drivers to avoid over-speeding and reckless maneuvers, which he said are often the cause of multiple-fatality accidents across the country.
