Sallah Tragedy: Auto Accidents Took Lives of 12

Yesterday, at the very end of Ramadan (Eid-el-Fitri)
at least 10 people died yesterday while 24 others
were injured in multiple accidents along major roads leading to Gusau, Zamfara State capital. At the same time two people were killed in another crash in Ogun State.

The first accident occurred along Bungudu-Maru Road in Zamfara as a result of head-on collision
involving Golf and Toyota cars where seven people
died instantly, others sustained serious injuries.

The second crash occurred along Damba, a few
kilometres to the state capital where nine passengers of a vehicle were injured while a housewife, Malama Rabi from Biyabiki village in Tsafe Local Government Area died on the spot.

According to a source, 19 passangers who were
travelling in a bus along Maru town were involved
in an accident. Two people lost their lives with
several others sustaining serious injuries. All the
victims of the multiple accidents were on their way
to meet up with the sallah celebration in their
various towns and villages.

The bodies have been deposited at the Federal
Medical Centre, Gusau, while those injured were at
various nearest hospitals. Spokesman of the
Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Zamfara
State command, Garba Lawal, confirmed the death
of 10 people.

The FRSC spokesman attributed the accidents to
over-speeding and dangerous overtaking by
drivers.

Meanwhile, two people were killed while 12 others,
including a pregnant woman, were injured during
a fatal auto crash when two vehicles collided at
Iperin area of Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road on Tuesday.
The vehicles, a Toyota Serena bus marked SMK 760
AP and a Mercedes Benz lorry with registration
number XV 353 MUS. The bus which took off from
Ijebu-Ode was heading towards Ibadan before its
front tyre bust, causing the driver to lose control.

He had a head-on collision with the on-coming
Mercedes Benz lorry. The driver and the passenger in front of the bus died immediately while passers- by rescued 16 other passengers in the two vehicles.

They were taken to both Ijebu-Ode General Hospital and Roona Private Hospital in the town.

One of the survivors, Rebecca John, said four members of her family were travelling to Ibadan to
attend the convention of the Gospel Faith Mission
International (GOFAMINT) when the accident
occurred. Though weak, she said the victims were
members of GOFAMINT in the Waterside area of
the state.

The Chief Medical Director, Ijebu-Ode General
Hospital, Dr. Wellington Ogunsanya, confirmed the
accident.