NIGER GOVERNOR’S CONVOY INVOLVED IN FATAL CRASH, FOUR DEAD

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Four people have been confirmed dead following a road accident involving a vehicle in the convoy of Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, along the Minna–Bida Road.

The crash occurred at about 11 a.m. on Monday at Gidan Mongoro, on the outskirts of Minna, when a Hilux van in the governor’s convoy reportedly collided head-on with a private car.

The convoy was said to be returning from Bida, where Bago had attended the Fida’u prayer for the late Sagin Nupe.

An eyewitness, Danjuma Umar, a resident of Gidan Mongoro, alleged that the accident happened when the Hilux driver attempted to overtake another vehicle before crashing into an oncoming car.

The occupants of the private vehicle were suspected to be postgraduate students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. The car was reportedly driven by a woman who lived in Gidan Mongoro.

Three people reportedly died at the scene, while a fourth victim died after being rushed to the hospital.

The deceased were identified as Nafisat Abubakar Aguye, a hub manager, Ibrahim Ado Bayero and George. The identity of the fourth victim had yet to be established.

Among those injured was Dauda Chukuba, a former chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area and Director-General of Government House, who was reportedly receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.

Another former local government chairman travelling in the Hilux was also said to have sustained fractures to his legs.

The injured victims were initially taken to Minna General Hospital, while some were later referred to the IBB Specialist Hospital for further treatment.

The Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Aishat Sa’adu, confirmed the accident, saying her personnel arrived after the victims had been evacuated from the scene.

She confirmed that the crash resulted in casualties but said the total number of people involved had yet to be determined.

The incident also raised concerns about emergency response capacity at the state’s public health facilities following reports that a medical officer at Minna General Hospital had expressed concerns about the availability of personnel to attend to the injured.

The officer was subsequently alleged to have been arrested by security operatives attached to the governor. However, the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest had yet to be independently verified.

The accident occurred on the same day Bago was expected to attend the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council in Niger State.