By Patrick Idowu
Tragedy struck on Monday along the busy Dutse Bwari Road in the Federal Capital Territory as a trailer carrying sacks of onions and pepper lost control and killed no fewer than three persons at Tipper Garage Junction.
The fatal accident, which occurred around 11:55am, left scores injured and sent shockwaves through the community.
According to eyewitnesses, the trailer, which was descending from Bwari town, suffered brake failure near the Usuman Dam.
Ismaila Hussein, a clothing vendor at the junction, described the terrifying moment the truck lost control.
“I was on the phone with a customer when I heard loud honking. The trailer was speeding uncontrollably downhill.
“It rammed into a Prado Jeep, which then collided with a Keke NAPEP and a bystander.
“Sadly, the person was crushed beneath the vehicle and died immediately,” Hussein recounted.
Two of the trailer’s occupants also died on the spot, bringing the death toll to three. The impact left several others injured, prompting an emergency response from rescue teams.
Another witness, Mrs Glory Emeka, who operates a Point of Sale terminal nearby, called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to address the growing number of accidents at the junction.
“We are living in fear each time we cross this road. The rate at which trailers lose control here is frightening.
“The minister must act fast to save lives before more families are thrown into mourning,” she pleaded.
Meanwhile, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force have evacuated the victims to the morgue, while the injured were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care.
The incident has once again raised concerns over road safety in the area, with residents demanding swift intervention to prevent further tragedies.
