8 killed in Katsina auto accident

Segun Olaniyan, Katsina - 10.03.2008

Eight people travel ling in a 10-seater Nissan commercial bus were burnt to death on Saturday after the vehicle collided with a Honda Civic car at Eka village, Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

An eyewitness, Malam Hassan Sani, told the Nigerian Tribune at the scene of the incident that the accident occurred when the driver of the Nissan bus heading towards Katsina from Kano allegedly lost control when he suffered a burst tyre and skidded off his lane.

Mallam Sani explained that when the accident occurred, the bus instantly caught fire and eight people including the driver, two toddlers and their mothers, were burnt to death.

He noted that the conductor and three other passengers escaped with severe burns, while the driver of the other vehicle sustained injuries.

The eyewitness observed that the lingering water scarcity in the village contributed to the death of the victims as the villagers used sand to put out the fire, which he said lasted for over 30 minutes.

Confirming the incident, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the local government area, Mr. Iliya Doma, said the five survivors were taken to Kankia General Hospital.

Doma said the eight victims were given mass burial as they could not be recognised. He advised motorists to always respect traffic rules such as speed limits and avoid over loading, as these could reduce accidents.