On September 9, Nigerian authorities reported that a collision between a tanker truck and a lorry carrying passengers and livestock has resulted in at least 59 deaths.
The accident, which occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday September 7, took place on a road in the Agaie region of Niger State in northern Nigeria.
Ibrahim Husseini, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the death toll and noted that it could rise as the evacuation of the site continues. The victims were buried on Sunday in accordance with local Muslim customs.
The collision involved a fuel tanker and a tractor-trailer loaded with passengers and livestock, as well as a crane and a pickup truck. Approximately 50 cows were also burned alive in the incident.
Nigeria’s roads are notoriously poorly maintained, with frequent accidents attributed to speeding and violations of traffic regulations. In response to the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged transport and road infrastructure agencies to enhance efforts to improve road safety for travelers and residents.