A devastating accident along the Agaie-Bida road in Niger State has claimed the lives of at least 45 people.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Sunday near Man-Woro village and involved a petrol-laden tanker, a truck carrying cattle, and a passenger vehicle.
According to witnesses, the accident was triggered when the tanker overturned while navigating the deteriorating road conditions, igniting a fire that engulfed the other vehicles. The truck, which was transporting cattle from Wudil, Kano State, to Lagos, and the passenger vehicle en route to the Agaie Sunday market, were caught in the blaze.
Local resident Abubakar Agaie confirmed that 45 bodies were buried on Sunday morning. Many of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. Yahaya Mohammed, a witness at the scene, said that the fire spread quickly after the tanker fell, trapping the other vehicles and their occupants. “We counted 45 bodies that could be identified as human remains,” he said, adding that the three vehicles were completely destroyed.
Commercial driver Alhaji Wuchiko reported transporting the tanker driver and another victim to Lapai General Hospital. Some survivors were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for treatment.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the incident, stating that over 30 people had been confirmed dead and more bodies were likely trapped in the wreckage. Additionally, more than 50 cattle were killed in the blaze. NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), along with local emergency teams, continues recovery efforts at the scene.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor described the accident as painful and urged road users to be cautious. He also announced that emergency agencies had been deployed to the scene to assist in rescue operations.
The governor offered prayers for the victims and called for calm, urging adherence to road safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.
