At least 15 persons, including six national women leaders of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ, lost their lives in separate auto accidents that happened in Kaduna on Sunday.
The Federal Road Safety Corps’ Sector Head of Operations, Kaduna, Salish Galadunci, who confirmed the incidents, said one of the accidents occurred along Kajuru junction Maraba Rido Kachi road in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the bus was conveying the women from Kebbi State after attending the inauguration of the Church in the state.
An eyewitness told journalists that wife of former ERCC Secretary General and vice chairman Sanga Local Government Council in Kaduna State, Mrs lydia Nuhu Idzi, was among the women that died in the accident.
The FRSC official said, “On 14/5/17 at about 1630hrs at Kajuru junction Maraba Rido Kachi road, two vehicles moving in the same direction collided and caught fire with 18 persons inside.”
Mr Galadunci explained the vehicles were trying to dodge a motorcyclist who was crossing the road when it collided with another oncoming car and immediately went up in flame, roasting about 13 of the 18 persons in a Toyota Hummer bus with number plate AkW 60 XA.
“The first vehicle in front which was on speed tried avoiding the Okada but instead ran into a ditch by the roadside and the other vehicle following also rammed into the bus in front and there was fire.
“The two vehicles are Toyota bus AkW 60 XA, Toyota Starlet AA 379 FNN. 18 persons involved while 5 persons injured 12 dead burnt alive, 2 were male adults, 10 female adults,” he said.
He added that victims and the remains of the deceased had been deposited at St Gerard Catholic Hospital in the state capital.
“Initially the hospital hesitated taking in the bodies not until after some serious argument that led to them closing their gate for our ambulance,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Galadunci said in another rescue operation carried out by the men of the sector command, another accident, claiming 3 lives occurred along the Mazuga Village, 10km away from Kachia-Kafanchan road on Saturday.
Curiously, the FRSC official said items recovered from one of the vehicles included five locally made AK47 rifles and a magazine.
“In another development, on 12/5/17(Saturday)at Mazuga village 10km Kachia – Kafanchan road another accident happened involving two vehicles, Audi Salon car AG 601 MKR and an Opel Vectra (no registration).
“This happened at about 1607hrs. Our men quickly rushed to the place and found out good Samaritans had already started bringing the victims out of the accident vehicles. 7 persons were involved, 3 died 4 injured.
“In addition 5 locally made AK47 rifles and a magazine was found in the Audi Salon car with whose driver Mr Sabo Goni was still alive but injured. Kachia police were quickly alerted.
“The recovered arms and ammo were handed over to DPO Kachia Division for further investigation,” he added.
