By Opeyemi Adelakun
Four people have been confirmed dead following a road crash involving a vehicle in the convoy of Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago along Minna–Bida Road.
The accident occurred at about 11 a.m. on Monday at Gidan Mongoro, on the outskirts of Minna, when a Hilux van in the governor’s convoy collided head-on with a private car.
The convoy was reportedly returning from Bida, where Bago had attended the Fida’u prayer for the late Sagin Nupe.
An eyewitness, Danjuma Umar, alleged that the Hilux driver attempted to overtake another vehicle before colliding with the oncoming car.
The occupants of the private vehicle were suspected to include postgraduate students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. The car was reportedly driven by a woman who lived in Gidan Mongoro.
Three victims reportedly died at the scene, while another died after being taken to hospital, bringing the death toll to four.
Those identified among the deceased were Nafisat Abubakar Aguye, a hub manager, Ibrahim Ado Bayero and George. The identity of the fourth victim had not been established as of the report.
Among those injured was Dauda Chukuba, a former chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area and Director-General of Government House, who was reportedly receiving treatment at IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.
A former local government chairman travelling in the Hilux was also reported to have sustained fractures to his legs.
The injured victims were taken to Minna General Hospital, with some subsequently referred to IBB Specialist Hospital for further treatment.
The Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Aishat Sa’adu, confirmed the accident, saying her personnel arrived after the victims had been evacuated. She confirmed that there were casualties but could not immediately establish the total number of people involved.
Alleged arrest of medical officer
The crash has also raised questions about emergency response at public health facilities following reports that a medical officer at Minna General Hospital complained about the availability of personnel to attend to the injured.
The officer was subsequently alleged to have been arrested by security operatives attached to the governor.
However, the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest had not been independently verified at the time of the report.
The accident occurred on the same day Bago was expected to attend the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council in Niger State.
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