12 killed, 25 injured in Kaduna/Abuja road accident

No fewer than 12 people have lost their lives in an accident along Kaduna-Abuja road, yesterday, while 25 others sustained injuries.

The tragedy involved a trailer whose driver was said to be over-speeding. The Kaduna State Government said it received a report from security agencies on a fatal road crash at Km 26 of the Kaduna/Abuja highway.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, stated: “The crash, which involved a trailer, was caused by a combination of over-speeding, road defects, driving against traffic and loss of control. These caused the trailer to veer off the pavement.”

According to him, 12 persons were killed in the crash, with 25 receiving treatment in hospital for injuries.

Meanwhile, Governor Nasir el-Rufai has expressed sadness at the report of the accident commiserated with the families of the deceased, while wishing the injured quick recovery.

Aruwan said: “The Governor has further enjoined citizens plying the highway to desist from dangerous and potentially disastrous practices like over-speeding, overloading, reckless driving and driving against traffic, which had been prohibited by the government.”

To enforce compliance, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, yesterday, led extensive patrols along the Kaduna/Abuja highway.

“A crane was deployed to retrieve two dead bodies mutilated and trapped underneath the wreckage of the trailer. The scene of the crash has been cleared and security agencies have ensured the normal movement of traffic along the route,” he added.