An collision on Minna-Bida Road claimed the lives of four individuals, including a vehicle carrying Niger State governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
At about 11 a.m. on Monday, near Gidan Mongoro, on the outskirts of Minna, a private automobile and a Hilux van belonging to the governor’s convoy were involved in a head-on collision.
Rumour has it that Bago was in Bida for the Fida’u prayer for Sagin Nupe, who passed away, and the caravan was making its way back.
Danjuma Umar, a local of Gidan Mongoro who was present at the scene of the accident, stated that the driver of the Hilux tried to pass another vehicle but collided with an approaching car.
It was believed that the individuals in the private vehicle were postgraduates from the Federal University of Technology in Minna.
The driver of the vehicle was allegedly a Gidan Mongoro resident.
Tragically, three victims passed away at the scene of the accident, while a fourth victim did not survive the journey to the hospital.
Among those who lost their lives were hub manager Nafisat Abubakar Aguye, Ibrahim Ado Bayero, and George.
At this time, we do not know who the fourth victim was.
Former Shiroro Local Government Area chairman and Director-General of Government House Dauda Chukuba was allegedly undergoing treatment at Minna’s IBB Specialist Hospital after being injured.
While in the Hilux, a former chair of the local government reportedly broke both of his legs.
Transported to Minna General Hospital, the wounded were treated there; some were later transferred to the IBB Specialist Hospital.
The accident was confirmed by Aishat Sa’adu, the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps. Sa’adu explained that her personnel came after the casualties had been evacuated.
Although she was unable to instantly determine the exact number of casualties, she did confirm that the crash had in fact occur.
After hearing that a doctor at Minna General Hospital was worried about not having enough people on staff to treat the wounded, the episode brought scrutiny on the state’s public health facilities’ ability to react to crises.
It was later claimed that security personnel associated with the governor had apprehended the officer.
Nevertheless, a third party has not yet confirmed the details of the alleged arrest.