Tragedy struck in the early hours of Sunday when at least 45 people were burned beyond recognition in a horrific accident involving a petrol-laden tanker, a truck carrying cattle, and a passenger vehicle on the Agaie-Bida road in Niger State.
The incident occurred near Man-Woro village around 1 a.m. The victims included passengers in a vehicle heading to Agaie’s Sunday market and those in the cattle-laden truck, which had reportedly set off from Wudil, Kano State, bound for Lagos.
Eyewitnesses say the tanker fell while attempting to navigate the deplorable condition of the Agaie-Bida road, resulting in a fire that consumed both vehicles and their occupants.
According to reports gathered by Okay.ng, 45 bodies were buried in Man-Woro village on Sunday morning.
Alhaji Wuchiko, a commercial driver who witnessed the aftermath, said he transported the driver of the tanker and another survivor to Lapai General Hospital. Other survivors were reportedly taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for treatment.
Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the tragic event, noting that “over 30 people are already confirmed dead, with over 50 cattle burned alive.” He added that the agency’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), along with Local Government Emergency Management Committees (LGEMCs), was still conducting search-and-rescue operations, as more bodies remained trapped inside the vehicles.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed profound sadness over the incident, describing it as “painful.”
He also assured the public that NSEMA and other relevant agencies had been mobilized to the scene to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts.
The governor urged road users to exercise caution and abide by traffic regulations to prevent such tragic incidents.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, praying for Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and quick recovery to those injured.
