A road accident along Marke village in Takai Local Government Area of Kano State yesterday killed 22 passengers of a Ford, marked XA671 NNG. Several people were injured even as another tragedy hit Rivers State yesterday when a loaded fuel tanker crashed at about 1am in Elele, Ikwere council area, barely 24 hours after fire razed the popular Mile One market in Port Harcourt.
A resident, who spoke with Daily Sun on condition of anonymity, said the loaded tanker upturned at an area known as ‘roundabout’ and exploded.
Seven died in the inferno, which also burnt about 30 houses, both residential and business buildings, six cars, three trailers and a police van parked around the area.
The state police command’s spokesman, Ahmad Muhammed, a Deputy Superintendent, confirmed the incident. on Tuesday, at about 2am, fire razed the Port Harcourt market and destroyed inestimable goods and property.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged the police command to investigate the cause of the fuel tanker fire, according to a Government House statement. He visited the scene yesterday.
He said: “The police should investigate the cause of this fire. We hear a life was lost and properties have been damaged. We need to hear from the police and know what happened before the government can decide on what to do.”
Meanwhile, a more devastating tragedy occurred in Kano yesterday along Marke village in Takai Local Government Area, killing 22 passengers.
The victims of the auto crash, include 10 women. Nine injured victims, who survived the crash, were rushed to Takia General Hospital.
Some of the deceased were burnt to death in the crash which happened at about midday.
According to the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Alhaji Garba Mohammed Ibrahim, the bodies were given mass burial at the scene of the crash by the community. They were buried at about 3.00 pm.
Eyewitness told Daily Sun that the heavily-loaded Ford vehicle was also carrying bags of foodstuffs when it somersaulted and burst into flames following a suspected mechanical fault.
The sector commander appealed to motorists to drive more carefully even as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims.
The Information Officer in the area, Malam Muntari Usman Romi, journalists that funeral prayer was conducted at the graveyard side by Malam Ibrahim Usman, adding that the burial was attended by the local government officials and traditonal rulers in the area.
He said the passengers were coming from Magami village in Takai local government and were travelling to the state capital.
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