No fewer than 22 persons have reportedly lost their lives in a fresh road accident in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, sparking renewed concerns over highway safety in the state.
The crash occurred on Tuesday afternoon along the Kwanar Huguna–Dutse Municipal road, according to eyewitness accounts.
It was said to have involved a trailer laden with sand and two Gulf vehicles conveying passengers.
An eyewitness told reporters that the victims were travelling to attend a wedding ceremony when the vehicles collided, leading to multiple casualties at the scene.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, said the command received a distress report on the accident.
He disclosed that preliminary findings indicated that 16 persons died instantly, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The police spokesperson added that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash, as authorities intensify efforts to curb recurring road accidents across the state.