A devastating road accident on Saturday claimed 15 lives in Mairuwa village, along the Funtua-Sokoto highway. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has condemned the crash, calling it an “avoidable and preventable” tragedy caused by poor vehicle maintenance and driver negligence.

The incident occurred around 11 am when a Toyota Hiace bus, traveling from Kano, suffered a tyre burst, leading the driver to lose control. The bus then collided head-on with a Sino truck operated by the Dangote Group. The collision resulted in 15 fatalities, with most of the victims being passengers on the bus.

According to FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, a total of 28 people were involved in the crash, including 23 male adults, 1 female adult, 1 male child, and 3 female children. Of those, 13 individuals, including 11 men, 1 woman, and 1 boy, sustained varying degrees of injury and were transported to Funtua General Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, 15 others, including 11 men, 1 woman, and 3 girls, lost their lives.

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FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed deep concern about the recurring issue of poor vehicle maintenance and its role in such accidents. He emphasized that routine vehicle checks, adherence to legal speed limits, and overall compliance with traffic regulations could have prevented the crash.

“Had the driver adhered to speed limits and ensured proper vehicle maintenance, this tragedy could have been avoided,” Mohammed stated. He further called on transport unions, fleet operators, and individual vehicle owners to prioritize safety and ensure vehicles are roadworthy, urging all road users to practice safe driving.