22 killed on Kano road as seven die in tanker fire

A road accident along Marke village in Takai Local Government Area of
Kano State yesterday killed 22 passengers of a Ford, marked XA671 NNG.
Several people were injured even as another tragedy hit Rivers State
yesterday when a loaded fuel tanker crashed at about 1am in Elele,
Ikwere council area, barely 24 hours after fire razed the popular Mile
One market in Port Harcourt.
A resident, who spoke withDaily Sunon condition of anonymity, said the
loaded tanker upturned at an area known as 'roundabout' and exploded.
Seven died in the inferno, which also burnt about 30 houses, both
residential and business buildings, six cars, three trailers and a
police van parked around the area.
The state police command's spokesman, Ahmad Muhammed, a Deputy
Superintendent, confirmed the incident. on Tuesday, at about 2am, fire
razed the Port Harcourt market and destroyed inestimable goods and
property.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged the police command to
investigate the cause of the fuel tanker fire, according to a
Government House statement. He visited the scene yesterday.
He said: "The police should investigate the cause of this fire. We
hear a life was lost and properties have been damaged. We need to hear
from the police and know what happened before the government can
decide on what to do."
Meanwhile, a more devastating tragedy occurred in Kano yesterday along
Marke village in Takai Local Government Area, killing 22 passengers.
The victims of the auto crash, include 10 women. Nine injured victims,
who survived the crash, were rushed to Takia General Hospital.
Some of the deceased were burnt to death in the crash which happened
at about midday.
According to the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps
(FRSC), Alhaji Garba Mohammed Ibrahim, the bodies were given mass
burial at the scene of the crash by the community. They were buried at
about 3.00 pm.
Eyewitness toldDaily Sunthat the heavily-loaded Ford vehicle was also
carrying bags of foodstuffs when it somersaulted and burst into flames
following a suspected mechanical fault.
The sector commander appealed to motorists to drive more carefully
even as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims.
The Information Officer in the area, Malam Muntari Usman Romi,
journalists that funeral prayer was conducted at the graveyard side by
Malam Ibrahim Usman, adding that the burial was attended by the local
government officials and traditonal rulers in the area.
He said the passengers were coming from Magami village in Takai local
government and were travelling to the state capital.