18 dead as truck falls into river in Niger

Eighteen people have been confirmed dead and 21 injured after a heavy truck carrying several people and goods fell into a river in the Bida Local Government Area of Niger State.

The accident was said to have occurred late Tuesday night.

Eyewitnesses said that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bida responded immediately after the crash but were unable to save those who died.

Confirming the incident, the Niger State FRSC Sector Commander, Aishat Saadu, said the vehicle was travelling from Lagos to Kano, adding that it was a ditch, not a river, as alleged by eyewitnesses.

“The incident occurred at Wuya Village and it is not a river but a ditch. The ditch is big enough for the vehicle to submerge,” she stated.

She said that only two people were not injured, and the deceased have been taken to the mortuary, while the injured were taken to the hospital for treatment.