Eight farmers were tragically killed in a head-on collision between a Toyota Corolla and a fuel tanker on the Batati/Lanle Road in Niger State on Monday evening at approximately 8 pm.
The accident occurred when the speeding Toyota Corolla attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided with the oncoming tanker. All eight occupants of the Corolla, farmers who had migrated to Dasu village in Lavun Local Government Area due to insecurity in Niger Zone B, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were severely mangled.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, described the scene as horrific to Punch. “It was a terrible sight. All the victims were men of different age groups, and their bodies were crushed beyond recognition. Road Safety needs to caution drivers about overspeeding and overtaking recklessly on our roads,” they stated.
Mohammed Sanusi, Assistant Commander of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, Kutigi Branch, confirmed the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life. “I was shocked by what I saw. The bodies were in a terrible state. Tears ran uncontrollably down my face. May God Almighty forgive their shortcomings,” he lamented.
Sanusi commended the efforts of personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Red Cross, and RTEAN in recovering the bodies from the accident site.
The victims were laid to rest in Dasu village on Tuesday, 14th January 2025.
