A devastating road accident on Christmas Day claimed the lives of 11 people and left nine others injured in Beguwa village along Sankara Road in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The crash occurred around midday on Thursday, at a time when Christian worshippers across the state were engaged in Christmas celebrations, turning what should have been a festive day into one of mourning.
Eyewitnesses at the scene attributed the accident to excessive speed, saying the driver lost control of the vehicle while navigating the busy and narrow road leading into the village.
One eyewitness said, “The driver was on top speed despite the narrow and busy nature of the road. He didn’t even attempt to slow down when he approached a bend near the village.”
Another resident of the community described the frantic response that followed the crash, as villagers struggled to rescue trapped passengers.
“It was a horrifying sight. Some passengers died instantly while others were trapped under the vehicle. Our village people got it very hard before bringing the victims out,” she said.
A separate eyewitness also noted that the vehicle appeared to be mechanically faulty and was being driven at an unsafe speed at the time of the incident.
The eyewitness said, “The driver was reckless and the vehicle appeared to have brake issues. It’s a miracle anyone survived.”
Confirming the incident on Thursday afternoon, the Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, described the crash as deeply regrettable and said investigations were already underway.
“Yes, the accident occurred today (Thursday) at Beguwa village along Sankara Road in Ringim LGA. We lost 11 people in the crash and 9 others are currently receiving treatment in the hospital, including the driver,” he said.
He explained that further details would be made public after the conclusion of preliminary investigations, while assuring that appropriate legal steps would be taken.
“As soon as the driver recovers from his injuries, we will transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for proper interrogation and prosecution.
“The Command will not hesitate to charge him for reckless driving and causing death by dangerous driving,” he added.
The police spokesperson also cautioned motorists to exercise greater care on the roads, particularly during festive periods when traffic volume increases.
He appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with authorities as investigations continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident earlier in the day, two people reportedly died following a diesel tanker explosion at the Oto-Ijanikin axis near Lagos State University of Education along the Badagry Expressway.
The explosion occurred after a truck carrying diesel allegedly lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle, leading to a crash and subsequent fire outbreak.
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