Eleven people have been killed in a fatal auto crash that occurred on Saturday at Hawan Jaki village along the Alkaleri-Gombe road in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Nine others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash that involved 20 people.
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps in Bauchi State, Yusuf Abdullahi, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Sunday.
He said that the incident happened at about 5.30 pm and the FRSC personnel responded immediately and arrived at the scene within 15 minutes for a rescue operation.
According to him, the rescue team rushed the victims to the hospital where nine people were confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
He said that two other people who were injured and were receiving treatment later died.
Abdullahi said that two commercial vehicles were involved in the unfortunate incident.
He added that one of the vehicles, a Hiace Bus belonging to the Yankari Express of the Bauchi State government fleet was driven by one Muhammed Musa while the other vehicle, a DAF truck belonging to Dangote Group of Companies.
The FRSC boss said, “We received a call from a good samaritan who informed us of a fatal crash that occurred on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Hawan Jaki village, along Alkaleri-Gombe road at 5.30 pm.
“Immediately, our rescue team rushed to the scene within 15 minutes and took the victims to the Alkaleri General Hospital for treatment and confirmation.
“It was at the hospital that a medical doctor confirmed nine people dead while 11 others sustained various degrees of injuries. A total of 20 male adults were involved in the crash.
“A few hours later, the additional report indicated that two more people who were injured died in the hospital while receiving treatment.
“The vehicles are a Hiace Bus belonging to Yankari Express with the registration number BA114-A28 driven by one Muhammed Musa. The second truck belongs to Dangote Company with registration number JMU169XA.
“The crash was caused by dangerous driving.”
Abdullahi appealed to motorists to observe traffic regulations, especially during the ember months when there are high volumes of vehicular movements on the roads.
“You will recall that a few days ago, we flagged off the 2022 ember months campaigns which have the theme: “Avoid Speeding, Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Safely.”
During that event, we called on motorists to be more careful and they should obey all the road traffic regulations laid down so that lives and properties can be saved.
“We are in the ember months and there is always a high volume of vehicles on the roads and it is only when drivers are more careful that we will reduce crashes on our roads.
“I appeal to motorists to be more patient while on the roads so that the carnage from crashed would be reduced to the barest minimum,” he appealed.
