The Federal Road Safety Corps on Saturday blamed negligence and poor safety practices for a devastating road accident that claimed 12 lives in Samawa Village, Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State.
The lone crash, involving a DAF trailer with registration number KMC 931 ZE, occurred on Friday along the Zaria–Kano Highway, leaving 12 people dead and five others injured. Two passengers escaped unhurt, officials said.
According to the Corps, the truck — reportedly carrying both goods and passengers — experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure when “the cab hook of the trailer broke, detaching the cab from the trailer and causing a total loss of control,” a statement by FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, revealed.
Victims of the crash were rushed to Kura General Hospital, where the injured are receiving treatment, while the bodies of the dead were taken to the Nasarawa Hospital mortuary.
Reacting to the incident, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the accident “as avoidable and urged transport operators to phase out old, mechanically unsafe vehicles from their fleets.”
He condemned the recurring pattern of haulage trucks carrying passengers, describing it as “a tragic but preventable practice” that continues to result in needless deaths on Nigerian highways.
He further warned that “loading goods, animals, and passengers in the same vehicle” is a violation that would attract tougher penalties going forward, urging operators to comply with existing safety codes.
Mohammed emphasised the need for transport companies to invest in fleet renewal and proper vehicle maintenance, saying, “The recurring loss of lives from preventable crashes underscores the urgent need for haulage companies to adopt modern fleet renewal practices and adhere to safety regulations.”
He called for urgent action from stakeholders to prevent further loss of lives, warning that mechanical failures remain one of the leading contributors to fatal crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles across the country.