The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of 39 people in three auto crashes that occurred in Kebbi State and Bauchi State in the past three days.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Kebbi State, Mr Yusuf Aliyu-Haruna, said 35 people were killed in two auto crashes that occurred in Kebbi on Sunday and on Monday.
Aliyu-Haruna, who made the disclosure in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday, said 40 other people sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accidents which involved three vehicles.
“Twelve people lost their lives in the accident which occurred on Kalgo-Bunza Road on Sunday, involving two vehicles. On Monday, 23 people lost their lives, while travelling in a truck carrying assorted grains from Illela to Ibadan on Jega-Koko Road. Injured victims were taken to General Hospitals in Kalgo and Jega Local Government Areas,’’ he said.
Aliyu-Haruna attributed the accidents to overloading, over-speeding and use of expired tyres. He cautioned motorists, especially commercial vehicle drivers against excessive speeding and use of expired tyres, so as to ensure safety on the highways.
The sector commander advised motorists against the consumption of illicit substances and urged passengers to support the crusade against reckless driving in Kebbi.
In Bauchi, tragedy struck in Dass Local Government Area as four people died in an auto crash.
The state Sector Commander, FRSC, Yusuf Abdullahi, yesterday, said five other people sustained serious injuries in the crash. He said the lone accident involved a green commercial Ford Galaxy vehicle with nine passengers on board.
“Nine people were involved in the fatal road crash and they were eight male adults and one female adult. Four male adults lost their lives on the spot, while five others — four male adults and one female adult — sustained varying degrees of serious injuries,” he said.
Abdullahi, who attributed the crash to a burst tyre and loss of control, said it occurred at about 10.30am. He said that it took the corps barely 15 minutes to arrive at the crash scene to clear the site. The sector commander said both the injured and the bodies of the deceased were taken to the General Hospital, Dass for treatment and confirmation. He advised motorists to always be conscious of traffic rules and regulations while plying the roads.