Governor's convoy crash claims five lives in Niger

Five people died on Monday when a vehicle in Governor Mohammed Bago's convoy crashed into another vehicle, causing multiple deaths.

PUNCH Metro learned on Tuesday that the accident happened at Gidan Mangoro in Minna. A Toyota Hilux carrying the Director-General of the Government House, Mr Dauda Chikuba, collided with another vehicle that had five students from the Federal University of Technology.

Four of the five students died instantly. The driver of the Government House vehicle also died on the spot.

PUNCH found out that while the governor's convoy was returning to Minna, the vehicle with the students was going toward Bida.

Eyewitnesses said the governor's team was coming back from a condolence visit to the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar. They were paying respects for the passing of the Sagi Nupe, Hajia Aisha.

The accident was described as a head-on crash and took place at Gidan Kwanu.

The Director-General of the Government House was quickly taken to a hospital for treatment. The bodies of the students and the driver were moved to an unknown location.

“It was a head-on collision. We heard that the convoy was speeding when the accident happened. It was a terrible accident.

“The Government House DG was rushed to the hospital and might stay there for a while. The bodies of the students were taken away,” an eyewitness told PUNCH.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident. He said the accident is under investigation.

He did not give the names of those who died.

“The accident happened this morning, and we are looking into it,” Abiodun said.