Truck kills 11 motorcyclists in Abuja

Atruck yesterday killed 11 persons, mainly commercial motorcyclists, and injured seven others including a pregnant woman at Dutsen Alhaji Junction, Kubwa Expressway, Abuja.

The pregnant woman was in the surgical ward at Kubwa General Hospital when our reporters visited yesterday evening while some of the deceased have been buried.

Ten motorcycles and one vehicle were also damaged in the accident which occurred at about 12 noon.

There was a mild drama as commercial motorcyclists attempted setting the truck on fire but for the intervention of police officers.

A witness, Ibrahim Nuhu, said the truck driver attributed the accident to brake failure adding that effort to stop the truck failed before he ran over the motorcyclists waiting for passengers.

He said the truck driver was on top speed.

The Medical Director of Kubwa General Hospital, Dr. Ahmed Danfulani said three people had been confirmed dead while five persons were receiving treatment at the hospital.

Two of the victims, a woman and another man with injuries to the head were still at the emergency unit when our reporters visited the hospital yesterday.

Meanwhile the Federal Capital Territory Minister Muhammad Musa Bello has commiserated with the victims and stated the readiness of the administration to forestall reoccurrence.

The Divisional Police Officer at the FCDA Quarters, Dutsen Alhaji Police Station, CSP Iliya Doma declined comment as he said he had to report the accident to his superior officers before talking to the press.