The Jigawa Police Command has confirmed the death of 14 passengers and four others injured following a fatal motor accident at Kanya Market on Tuesday in Jigawa State.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Adam, confirmed the incident in a statement, a copy of which was made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday.
“On Monday at about 1120hrs, information at the command’s disposal revealed that there was a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a Daf truck with reg. No. GMB 242 KD, coming from Kanya market.
“On reaching an Immigration checking point, another vehicle, a Toyota Hiace with Reg No. XA 381 GAS was also coming from Kano to Kanya market with overloading and at a high speed,” the statement said.
He said when the immigration officers stopped the driver of the Toyota Hiace, he refused to stop and attempted to get around the checkpoint by veering into the other lane, as a result, he collided head-on with the Daf truck.
“Consequently, four passengers suffered severe injuries, and fourteen others passed away instantly”, the PPRO said.
He said on receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Kanya Division, alongside his patrol team rushed to the scene where the corpses and injured victims were evacuated and rushed to Kanya Babba Cottage Hospital.
“The corpses were certified dead by a doctor on duty, while the injured are currently receiving medical attention.
He added that an investigation had commenced.