FCT auto crash, kill 19 persons

In an auto crash on Yangoji-Gwagwalada Road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), between three vehicles comprising two Toyota Hiace buses and an articulated vehicle, 19 persons have been confirmed killed while 8 others were injured yesterday. Mr Dauda Biu, Acting Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, confirmed the figures to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) when he visited the accident scene.

Biu said 31 persons were involved in the accident, 19 of  whom charred beyond recognition.

“Out of the 31 victims, eight persons comprising seven males and one female sustained various degrees of injuries, while 19 others were burnt beyond recognition.

“Investigation showed that the main causes of the crash were speed limit violation and wrongful overtaking which eventually resulted in loss of control,’’ he said.

According to him, the Toyota Hiace bus with Registration Number MUB- 30 LG, crashed into the Citreon articulated vehicle and burst into flames, killing everyone on board.

“The second bus hit the first bus from behind and also caught fire. Fire melted the second bus with Bauchi State number plate.

“It was coming from Takai, Kano State while heading to Benin. The Citroen vehicle loaded chicken feeds from Zaria in Kaduna State and was heading to Akwa Ibom.

“The nineteen bodies were trapped but extricated by rescue operatives,” Biu said.

(Nation)