By Emmanuel Kwada
A tragic accident involving a Dangote truck has claimed the lives of two students from Borno State University (BOSU), sparking widespread protests on campus. The incident occurred on Wednesday near the Jimtilo area along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road when the truck, reportedly speeding, lost control and collided with a bus carrying students returning home after their semester exams.
The university’s Information and Public Relations Officer, the accident has left the university community in shock and mourning
The deceased have been identified as a male final-year student and a female part-two student, whose names have not yet been released pending notification of their families. Several other students were injured in the crash and have been rushed to hospitals in Maiduguri for urgent medical attention.
According to Abba A. Massa, the university’s Information and Public Relations Officer, the accident has left the university community in shock and mourning. “This is a devastating loss for our institution and the families of the victims. We are currently providing support to the affected families and are in contact with the hospitals treating the injured students,” Massa stated.
In response to the tragedy, students gathered in large numbers on the university campus, demanding justice and calling for stricter traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The protesters carried placards with messages decrying the dangers posed by reckless driving and calling for the accountability of the Dangote Group, which owns the truck involved in the accident.
We want to see action taken against the driver and the company for this negligence that has cost us the lives of our friends and colleagues
“We want to see action taken against the driver and the company for this negligence that has cost us the lives of our friends and colleagues,” said one of the protest organizers, who wished to remain anonymous. “We’re tired of losing our students to avoidable accidents.”
The protests led to a temporary blockade of the main road leading to the university, causing traffic disruptions and drawing the attention of local authorities. Police were deployed to the scene to maintain order and ensure the safety of the demonstrators.
As the situation unfolded, the Borno State government expressed condolences to the families of the victims and promised a thorough investigation into the accident. In a statement, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mohammed Ali, said, “We will work closely with relevant agencies to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We must prioritize the safety of our students and all road users.”
The university administration has also called for calm among students and urged them to express their grievances peacefully, assuring them that their concerns will be taken seriously.
As the community mourns the loss of the two promising students, calls for improved road safety measures and accountability in the transport sector continue to resonate throughout Borno State.
