Four people have died in a road accident involving a vehicle in the convoy of Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, along the Minna–Bida Road.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Monday at Gidan Mongoro, on the outskirts of Minna, when a Hilux van in the governor’s convoy collided head-on with a private car.
The convoy was reportedly returning from Bida, where the governor attended the Fida’u prayer for the late Sagin Nupe.
An eyewitness, Danjuma Umar, alleged that the Hilux driver was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the oncoming car.
The occupants of the private vehicle were suspected to be postgraduate students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. The car was reportedly driven by a woman who lived in Gidan Mongoro.
Three victims reportedly died at the scene, while another died after being taken to the hospital, bringing the death toll to four.
The deceased were identified as Nafisat Abubakar Aguye, a hub manager, Ibrahim Ado Bayero and George. The identity of the fourth victim had not been established at the time of reporting.
Among those injured was Dauda Chukuba, a former chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area and Director-General of Government House. He was reportedly receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.
Another former local government chairman travelling in the Hilux was also said to have sustained fractures to his legs.
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The injured victims were taken to Minna General Hospital, while some were later referred to the IBB Specialist Hospital for further treatment.
The Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Aishat Sa’adu, confirmed the accident. She said her personnel arrived after the victims had been evacuated from the scene.
She confirmed that the crash resulted in casualties but said she could not immediately determine the total number of people involved.
The incident also raised concerns about emergency response at public health facilities in the state. Reports indicated that a medical officer at Minna General Hospital had expressed concerns about the availability of medical personnel to attend to the injured.
The officer was subsequently alleged to have been arrested by security operatives attached to the governor. However, the reported arrest had not been independently verified.
The accident occurred on the same day Governor Bago was expected to attend the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council in Niger State.
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