A fatal truck accident along the Agaie-Badeggi road in Niger State has left at least seven people dead and 16 others injured in the early hours of Sunday.
The ill-fated truck, carrying federal government relief grains and 36 male passengers, was traveling from Lagos to Kano when it overturned near the Essa community in Katcha Local Government Area around 3 a.m.
According to officials from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the accident was attributed to dangerous potholes and deteriorated sections of the Lambata-Bida road, a stretch that has long been due for reconstruction.
Out of the 16 individuals injured, 11 sustained severe injuries, while five others had minor wounds. Some victims were rushed to nearby health centres in Badeggi and Agaie, while others reportedly continued on their journey with assistance from fellow travelers.
NSEMA confirmed that relatives of the deceased retrieved their bodies from the crash site.
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Emergency response efforts were carried out by agency personnel with the support of villagers and passersby who witnessed the incident.
The tragic event once again draws attention to the perilous state of many Nigerian roads, particularly those that serve as major transport routes for food and essential supplies.
Authorities have been urged to expedite repair works on the Lambata-Bida axis to prevent further loss of lives.