At least 30 people were killed and several others injured in a devastating road accident in Kano State, northern Nigeria, local authorities confirmed on Monday.

The incident occurred along a major highway in the Gezawa area, when a semi-trailer truck lost control and collided with another vehicle, according to state officials. Preliminary findings indicate that reckless driving and excessive speed were major contributing factors to the crash.

A spokesperson for the Kano State government said emergency responders, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police units, and medical teams, were dispatched to the scene shortly after the accident was reported. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with several said to be in critical condition.
Rescue operations continued for several hours as authorities worked to recover victims and clear the wreckage from the road. Officials said the bodies of those killed were transferred to local mortuaries, while efforts were underway to identify the victims and notify their families.

The FRSC has launched an investigation into the crash, focusing on the condition of the vehicles involved, possible mechanical failure, and compliance with traffic regulations. Authorities have also reiterated calls for stricter enforcement of road safety laws, particularly for heavy-duty trucks operating on highways.
Road accidents remain a major public safety concern in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. Experts cite a combination of poor road infrastructure, inadequate vehicle maintenance, overloading, and reckless driving as key causes of frequent deadly crashes.

According to official statistics, thousands of people are killed each year in traffic-related incidents across the country, with northern states often recording some of the highest fatalities due to long-distance trucking routes and limited road safety oversight.

Kano State Governor’s office expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said the government would support ongoing medical treatment for the injured while reviewing measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. (ILKHA)