Niger govt mourns crash victims, says driver was returning with staff

The Niger State Government has expressed condolences to the families of people killed in a fatal road accident on the Minna-Bida Road.

However, it said the driver involved was a Government House staff member returning from a trip with other staff.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nana, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, clarifying reports linking the crash to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s convoy.

Mr Nana said the vehicle was not on a convoy assignment with the governor and that other government staff involved in the incident were receiving treatment.

“Preliminary information available to the government indicates that the driver acted recklessly, resulting in this unfortunate incident,” he said.

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The government expressed regret over the loss of lives and urged motorists to observe traffic regulations and exercise caution.

As PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier, five people, including four students of the Federal University of Technology and a driver attached to the Government House, died in the crash.

A report by The Punch newspaper said the collision involved a vehicle conveying the Government House Director-General, Dauda Chikuba, and another vehicle carrying the students. Mr Chikuba was taken to hospital for treatment.

The Niger State Police Command said it was investigating the accident.

The government did not provide further details on the circumstances of the crash or the identities of the deceased in its statement.