A tragic accident in the early hours of Friday claimed the lives of at least 12 people in Garun Malam Local Government Area, Kano State.
The crash happened near Samawa Village on the busy Zaria–Kano Highway. According to reports, a DAF trailer with registration number KMC 931 ZE, carrying both goods and passengers, suffered a mechanical failure when its cab hook snapped. The cab separated from the body of the truck, leading the driver to lose control.
Nineteen people were caught up in the incident. Twelve died on the spot, five others sustained injuries, while two escaped unhurt.
Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed that the bodies of the victims were taken to Nasarawa Hospital Mortuary, while the injured are being treated at Kura General Hospital.
FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the accident as needless and preventable, stressing the dangers of unsafe vehicles on Nigerian roads. He urged transport operators to upgrade their fleets and avoid using mechanically defective trucks.
Mohammed also warned against the risky habit of mixing passengers, goods, and animals in the same vehicle. “Such violations,” he cautioned, “would attract stiffer sanctions going forward.”
Offering his condolences to the bereaved families, Mohammed pledged that the FRSC would intensify its crackdown on reckless driving, overloading, and poor vehicle maintenance, particularly within the haulage sector.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has once again called on transport owners to prioritise periodic fleet renewal and proper vehicle maintenance following a tragic lone crash that claimed 12 lives at Samawa Village, Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State, on August 15, 2025,” the statement partly read.
He further emphasized that the persistence of deadly but preventable accidents highlights the urgency for haulage firms to modernize their fleets and respect safety standards.
According to him, road safety must be seen as a collective duty. He called on all stakeholders to join efforts with the corps to put an end to avoidable road tragedies.
