The Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, narrowly escaped death on Sunday when his convoy was involved in an accident along the Maigatari road.
Dangyatin was on his way to a state-organised political rally tagged “Gwamnati da Jama’a” (Government and the People) when the incident occurred.
According to The Nation, eyewitnesses said one of the escort vehicles, a black Toyota Hilux conveying police officers, suddenly lost control and somersaulted, throwing the occupants out.
The Speaker’s car and other vehicles in the convoy were able to stop just a few meters away from the crash site, avoiding further casualties.
The injured policemen were rushed to Gumel General Hospital in an unconscious state, but doctors were able to stabilise and revive them.
Confirming the incident, the Speaker’s Personal Assistant, Aqeel Akilu, said all the officers had since been discharged.
“There is no loss of lives. All the police involved in the accident are now feeling better as they were discharged from hospital,” Akilu stated.
Meanwhile, tragedy struck last week Tuesday along the Owerri/Onitsha expressway in Imo State when a gas tanker truck collided with a commuter bus, killing 12 people, including four children, and leaving at least eight others injured.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the tragic accident in a statement by its spokesman, Henry Okoye, who explained that the gas tanker, bearing registration number T 16716 LA and marked with the NUPENG inscription, was driving against traffic when it rammed into the bus.
According to Okoye, the commuter bus was conveying members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church from Anambra State to Agwa village in Imo State for a church programme.
“Eight adults and four children died in the accident, while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The deceased have been taken to Ogbaku Mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Divine Hospital, Awo-Omamma,” Okoye said.
Okoye added that the police, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other emergency responders, had since cleared the wreckage and restored traffic flow on the busy expressway.
He further disclosed that an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances that led to the tanker driver’s dangerous manoeuvre against traffic.
According to Daily Trust, residents said the accident caused chaos and grief as relatives of the victims rushed to the scene. Witnesses described the collision as horrific, with some victims trapped in the wreckage before emergency teams arrived.