Fertilizer Lorry Kills 100 In Nigeria

Benin City (THEWILL) - Kogi State was thrown into mourning on Saturday after a trailer carrying fertilizers rammed into a market in Allo village, Ayingba, Dekina Local Government Area, killing 100 persons but a senior police officer told AFP news that only 55 persons were killed.

“I can only confirm that 55 people were killed. The driver of the truck lost control and ran into a group of people moving in a procession along the road,” the cop said.

The trailer was reported to be travelling from the eastern part of the country before ramming into cars and motorcycles then crashing into the market. Kogi State commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Yomi Asaniyan blamed brake failure for the crash.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the market was busy with people when the accident occurred. A couple of vehicles went up in flames burning people beyond recognition.

Last week, more than 18 persons died in Oyo State, Western Nigeria when a bus carrying them to a funeral collided with a truck.

Governor Ibrahim Idris who visited the scene immediately after the accident was in tears as he declared a three-day mourning period for the victims and urged for prayers for their souls. He instructed that injured victims should be taken to the Lokoja Specialist Hospital and those needing special care be flown abroad immediately on the state’s bill.