Twenty-two people have been confirmed dead in separate road accidents in Jigawa State on Tuesday.
The first accident, which claimed 17 lives, including children, occurred at Danmasara town, Dutse Local Government Area.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) stated that the crash happened at approximately 12:15 p.m. along the Dutse-Kwanar Huguma road and involved three vehicles: two Volkswagen Golf cars and a Mercedes-Benz tipper truck.
FRSC Public Education Officer, Y.I. Yahaya identified the vehicles as a white Volkswagen Golf (XA500KYW), a red Volkswagen Golf (RAM836XA), and an orange Mercedes tipper truck (BUU289XA).
He said the accident was reported at 12:17 p.m., and rescue operatives arrived at the scene by 12:23 p.m.
Preliminary investigations attributed the crash to over-speeding, tyre burst, and loss of control, which led to the fatal collision, he said.
“The crash resulted in the death of 17 persons, including adults and children,” the FRSC statement said.
It added that injured victims and the deceased were promptly evacuated by FRSC rescue teams to the General Hospital, Dutse, for medical attention and documentation.
The FRSC warned motorists against excessive speed and neglect of vehicle maintenance, particularly tyre conditions.
It urged road users to strictly adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such avoidable loss of lives.
In another road crash, five people lost their lives at Bandawa village in Ringim Local Government Area.
The crash occurred around 1:00 p.m. and involved an ash-coloured Honda Accord (registration ABJ 730 AX) driven by Yunusa Hassan, 27, from Babura Local Government Area.
The vehicle was carrying a family of six while travelling from Kano to Babura.
The Jigawa State Police Command said the accident happened when the driver attempted to avoid a goat that suddenly crossed the road.
In the process, he lost control, and the vehicle veered off the road, colliding with a tree, the police said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shiisu Lawan Adam, said all the occupants were rushed to the nearest hospital, adding that five victims were pronounced dead, while two others suffered fractures and are receiving treatment.
Adam said investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
He urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere strictly to traffic rules to prevent further avoidable loss of lives on the state’s highways.
