FRSC Van Crash Kills Three Athletes In Kebbi

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zuru Unit Command, Kebbi State on Thursday, confirmed that it's operational van killed three athletes in a road accident.

It was also gathered that several persons were injured in the accident. According to an eyewitness account, FRSC van was overloaded with athletes conveying them to Gamji, along Zuru-Rijau road; driving recklessly on the road close to Amanawa. 

The athletes had taken off from the Zuru Township Stadium in the FRSC van to the annual marathon race to be held in the Township Stadium Zuru.   

Masaudu Mangorori, another eyewitness disclosed that the driver of a vehicle behind the FRSC van tried to wave them down to reduce speed when suddenly, the van started swaying and eventually summersaulted with the overloaded athletes. 

"We evacuated many of the victims to the nearby Army Barracks Clinic, Zuru, while others were taken to Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital, Zuru where three of them died,” Mangorori said.

According to coach Abubakar Sadiq, one of the athletes died instantly, while the two others died at the hospital. 

Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Didiye Dada of the Police Motor Traffic Department (MTD), Zuru said;

“The FRSC van and an ambulance were conveying the athletes to the marathon staring point in Gamji. While on their way the rear shaft of the van pulled out, which resulted to the summersault of the van where many were severely injured, three others died in the hospital."

She gave the names of those who lost their lives as Hauwa Ibrahim, Abdulrahman Abubakar and Bello Lawal Saidu. 

She also disclosed that five FRSC personnel including the driver are among the injured, who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

It was gathered that the van involved in the accident has been towed away from the scene of the accident by the FRSC operatives.