Fourteen passengers have been confirmed killed in a devastating auto crash in Jigawa State, leaving the community in shock.
The tragedy occurred on Monday evening when a Golf 3 wagon somersaulted and plunged into a river along Tage Bridge in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area.
Our correspondent learnt that the vehicle, with registration number GML 842 XA, was travelling from Hadejia town to Makera village when the accident occurred.
While updating our correspondent on Tuesday evening, the Jigawa State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Shi’isu Lawan Adam, stated that immediately after moving the victims of the accident to the nearest Hadejia General Hospital, all the 14 passengers in the commercial motor vehicle were confirmed dead.
“A doctor confirmed the death of eight women, two men, and four young men at the scene. The driver miraculously survived and is assisting police with investigations,” he explained further.
Adam added that the only survivor in the accident was the driver still lying unconscious at the Hadejia General Hospital.
“A thorough search and investigation into the cause of the accident are ongoing. The police appeal to the public to provide information aiding the investigation,” he further said.
Some eyewitnesses who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday described the scene as gruesome, with bodies scattered around.
According to Nahuru Bello, the driver failed to stop in time due to the collapsed Tage Bridge, which had been in disrepair since the previous rainy season, noting that the vehicle was travelling at a high speed before losing control.
PUNCH Metro recalls a similar accident in November 2024, where 10 persons died in a ghastly motor accident in Taura LGA of Jigawa State while another incident in Gwaram Local Government Area resulted in three fatalities and 14 injuries.
The frequency of fatal accidents in Jigawa State raises concerns about road safety as reports show that over 90% of accidents in Nigeria are considered avoidable.
