Seven people feared dead, two UniAbuja students hurt in truck accident near school gate

Seven people are feared dead, and two University of Abuja (UniAbuja) students were injured after a truck had brake failure and crashed into several vehicles opposite the university’s main gate on Monday.

The accident happened at 11:40 a.m. under the pedestrian bridge near the university entrance. Eight vehicles were involved, causing panic among students and drivers.

Eyewitnesses said seven people died and eight vehicles were damaged in the crash. As of the time of this report, emergency officials had not provided an official count of the casualties.

The UniAbuja Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Peculiar Eyamu, told Campus Reporter that two students were part of the accident. They were taken by ambulance to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for treatment.

Ms Eyamu identified one of the injured students as Sadiq, from the Faculty of Education. She said both students were in stable condition at the hospital.

"Two students were involved in the accident and got injured. They were taken by ambulance to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for medical treatment. They have been confirmed to be in stable condition with no complications, and no University of Abuja student lost their life," she said.

Witness John Agoro said the truck lost its brakes before hitting vehicles stuck in traffic. "The trailer suffered brake failure before crashing into multiple vehicles under the pedestrian bridge near the university entrance," Mr Agoro told Campus Reporter.

"Several vehicles were badly damaged in the crash. I am grateful I was far behind the trailer before the crash. If not, I would not be where I am now."

Habibah Abubakar, a UniAbuja student who saw the incident, described it as sudden and scary.

"The accident happened so fast and unexpectedly while students were arriving on campus. I was already close to the school gate when I heard a loud crash, and people ran for safety," Ms Abubakar said.

She urged students and the public to use the pedestrian bridge more when crossing the expressway. She noted that many overlook it, but it remains the safest way to cross.

Emergency responders, including officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security personnel, arrived soon after the crash. They rescued victims, evacuated the injured, cleared the wreckage, and restored traffic flow.

Ms Eyamu also called for calm among students. She added that the FRSC and the university’s security unit were working to improve traffic management and enforce vehicle safety measures around the campus.