The tragedy unfolded in Niger State as a newlywed bride, her five bridesmaids, a brother-in-law, and six others lost their lives in a fatal motor accident near the Lukoro area in Edati Local Government Area. The heartbreaking incident occurred on Friday evening, casting a pall over what should have been a joyous occasion.
Reports indicate that the vehicle, carrying the late bride, lost control due to overspeeding and attempted wrongful overtaking, resulting in a collision with an oncoming vehicle. An eyewitness revealed that 20 people were involved in the accident, with 13 fatalities and seven others sustaining critical injuries.
The second vehicle involved was a commercial Nissan bus, which had departed from Minna en route to Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Tsukwan Kumar, confirmed the tragic incident.
Kumar provided details of the crash, stating, “The crash involved two vehicles, a Toyota Corolla conveying the late bride and others from Mokwa to Bida and a commercial Nissan bus from Minna heading to Ogbomoso.”
The devastating toll included eight female adults, four male adults, and one male child who lost their lives. Additionally, four female adults, one male adult, one male child, and one female child sustained injuries. The FRSC commander listed the recovered items from the accident scene, such as five phones, one international passport, one National Identification Number (NIN) slip, three handbags, two travelling boxes, goods, and various personal effects belonging to the victims, all handed over to the Police Outpost in Wuya.
In the aftermath of the accident, the lifeless bodies of the deceased were released to their grieving relatives following proper identification. The four victims yet to be identified were deposited at the General Hospital in Kutigi, the headquarters of Lavun Local Government Area, while the injured individuals are undergoing medical treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Bida.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the suddenness with which joyous occasions can turn into moments of profound sorrow. The affected families and communities are left with the weight of an unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
