KANO: At least fourteen people were killed when a goods transport truck ploughed into Muslim worshippers outside the northern Nigerian city of Kano, Nigeria’s road safety agency said.
The Federal Road Safety Commission reported that the incident occurred in Imawa village, approximately 30 kilometers outside Kano, shortly after Friday prayers. The truck, laden with goods, reportedly lost control and struck worshippers who were leaving a mosque.
In a statement issued late Friday, the commission said, “The truck lost control and collided with pedestrians who had just concluded Friday prayers.” The collision resulted in the death of 14 persons and left several others injured.
Accidents on Nigeria’s roads are unfortunately common, often attributed to factors such as speeding and disregard for traffic regulations. The Federal Road Safety Commission noted that in 2023, more than 5,000 people lost their lives in road accidents, following a reported 6,500 deaths the previous year.
However, a report by the World Health Organization last year estimated that the actual annual deaths linked to road accidents in Nigeria could be closer to 40,000, with many incidents going unreported to authorities.
