A tragic road accident in the early hours of Sunday resulted in the deaths of seven people and left sixteen others injured in the Essa area along the Agaie-Badeggi Road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident was confirmed by the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in an official statement.
The truck involved was reportedly transporting food supplies provided by the Federal Government and carrying 36 male passengers who were traveling from Lagos to Kano.
The crash occurred around 3:00 a.m. and has been attributed to the poor condition of unrepaired sections of the Lambata-Bida Road. Authorities believe the deteriorating road played a key role in the incident.
Rescue operations were carried out by emergency officials, local residents, and passing motorists. According to NSEMA, seven people died on the spot, while sixteen others sustained injuries—eleven of them seriously.
Several of the injured were taken to hospitals in Badeggi and Agaie for treatment. Others received assistance from fellow travelers. The bodies of most of the deceased were later collected by their families.
In light of the accident, NSEMA is urging commercial drivers and other road users to be especially cautious when traveling at night or through areas known for hazardous road conditions.
Efforts to rehabilitate the Lambata-Bida Road are ongoing, with increased pressure on authorities to speed up the repairs and prevent further tragedies.
