No fewer than 45 people were, on Sunday, burnt beyond recognition in an accident along Agaie-Bida road in Niger State.
The accident involved a petrol laden tanker, a truck with cattle and a passenger vehicle.
The accident occurred near Man-Woro village on Agaie-Bida road around 1am on Sunday.
The occupants of the trailer loaded with cattle were said to have left Wudil, Kano State for Lagos, while the passenger vehicle was reportedly going to Agaie Sunday market.
Forty five corpses were said to have been buried at Man-Woro village on Sunday morning.
It was also learnt that the driver of the tanker and another victim were rushed to the Lapai General Hospital, while other survivors were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida.
The tanker was said to have fallen while trying to meander through the deplorable Agaie-Bida road.
Eye witnesses said they counted 45 human corpses which were burnt beyond recognition.
“The three vehicles were burnt down completely. As I speak with, we have counted 45 dead bodies that we could be able to recognize as human beings.
“What happened was that, the tanker fell down and cut fire. The other two vehicles; a passenger vehicle and a trailer loaded with goods and human beings, seeing the fire wanted to pass and they fell victim,” an eye witness said.
Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kumar Tsukwam, had yet to issue any statement as of the time of filing this report.
But the Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the incident.
According to Arah, “Over 30 people are already confirmed dead, with over 50 cattle burnt alive. NSEMA’s Rapid Respond Team (RRT), in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still on scene of the incidence conducting search and response operation as more corpses are still trapped inside the trucks”.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, in a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as painful.
The Governor said State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant organisations had been mobilised to the scene for rescue operation and other necessary actions.
While calling for calm, the Governor urged road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property.
He prayed that Allah will repose the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to those injured.