22 TRADERS DIE IN KEBBI CRASH

The Giron-Masa community, in the Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State has been thrown into mourning after 22 traders, who were returning home from a market, were killed in a road crash.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the bus driver had attempted to avoid a pothole when he hit a motorcyclist, which made the bus to somersault several times before falling into a ditch.

The bus, which was loaded with jerrycans of petrol and some pumping machines, later burst into flames.

Twenty-two passengers aboard were said to have lost their lives, while eight others were rushed to the Yauri General Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for burns.

A statement on Wednesday by Abubakar Dakingari, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, stated that the accident occurred on Monday.

The statement added that the victims were all buried on Tuesday at the scene of the incident.

“The Sole Administrator of the Shanga Local Government Area, Alhaji Garba Takware, said the vehicle was carrying traders coming from Tungan Giwa Market, and they were on their way home when the accident occurred.

“During a visit to the Yauri General Hospital to sympathise with the eight injured passengers, the Principal Medical Officer, Dr Onyilo Mathews, told the governor that those on admission were responding to treatment.

“The governor described the incident as an act of God and pledged to provide relief measures for the victims to restart their trading activities,” the statement read in part.

The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Suleiman, said the accident happened around 10.30pm on Monday.

Suleiman, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone, said the police were investigating the crash.

“The bus driver was at top speed when the motorcycle rider ran into the vehicle. The bus somersaulted and burst into flames. All the traders were burnt beyond recognition; so we cannot tell how many were males and how many were females. There are seven survivors at a hospital and they are in critical condition,” he added.

 

Source: Punchng.com; Images: Nigeriamonitor.com

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