Four die in crash involving Niger governor’s convoy
Four Dead in Accident Involving Niger State Governor’s Convoy
MINNA, Niger State — Four people died in a road accident on Monday involving a vehicle from the convoy of Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. along Minna–Bida Road at Gidan Mongoro, on the outskirts of Minna.
Reports indicate that the crash happened when a Hilux van in the governor’s convoy collided head-on with a private car. The convoy was returning from Bida, where the governor had attended the Fida’u prayer for the late Sagin Nupe.
Eyewitness Danjuma Umar, a local resident, stated that the accident occurred when the driver of the Hilux attempted to overtake another vehicle, resulting in the collision with the oncoming car.
The occupants of the private vehicle were believed to be postgraduate students at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. It was confirmed that the car was driven by a woman who resided in Gidan Mongoro. Three individuals died at the scene, and a fourth succumbed to injuries after being taken to the hospital.
The deceased have been identified as Nafisat Abubakar Aguye, a hub manager; Ibrahim Ado Bayero; and George, with the identity of the fourth victim yet to be determined.
Among the injured was Dauda Chukuba, a former chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area and currently the Director-General of the Government House, who is receiving treatment at IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna. A former local government chairman in the Hilux also sustained leg fractures.
Injured victims were initially taken to Minna General Hospital, with some later referred to IBB Specialist Hospital for further care.
Aishat Sa’adu, the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, confirmed the accident, noting that her personnel arrived after the victims had been evacuated from the scene. While she acknowledged that the crash resulted in casualties, she could not immediately confirm the total number of individuals involved.
The incident has raised concerns regarding the state’s public health facilities’ capacity to handle emergencies. There were reports of a medical officer at Minna General Hospital expressing worries about personnel availability for treating the injured; this officer was later alleged to have been detained by security operatives assigned to the governor. However, the circumstances surrounding this reported arrest have yet to be independently verified.
The accident coincided with the governor’s scheduled attendance at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council in Niger State.
