A truck reportedly suffered a brake failure and crashed into multiple tricycles popularly known as Keke and some vehicles, leaving several people dead and others fatally wounded at Dutse, Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Eyewitness told Blueprint reporter who visited the scene on Saturday night that the impact of the crash was devastating as some of the victims were so badly mangled that bystanders had to gather the remains before the bodies were covered.
The truck that caused the fatal accident was sighted resting on its beside, wedged between a drainage in front of Shafa Filling Station.
Army, police officers Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers were seen trying to control the traffic, which extended from Tipper Garage junction to Sokale roundabout on one hand and from Tipper Garage junction to Ushafa on the other hand.
The overturned truck remained at the site, drawing a large crowd of onlookers and sympathizers, despite the attempt of the security agents to control the situation.
Speaking with Blueprint reporter, a resident of Dutse-Bmuko, Mr Jackson Malaki, said the frequent accidents could be attributed to carelessness and neglect on the part of residents and government officials.
He said: “Almost every other month, sometimes weekly, a heavy duty truck conveying either sands or gravel will fail brake and people will die. We will mourn and wail and will quickly move on until the next one happens again.
“The government is so irresponsible and the citizens docile. An accident at that spot this evening claimed scores of lives, by tomorrow, the ones who escaped death will carry on as if it is business as usual.
“The Government will not even pay a condolence visit as the people who are victims are mostly poor people. If the accident had happened at Maitama, Asokoro, Villa, Guzape or Central Area, may be the Government will do something about it. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
On his part, Aaron James Ikwuoche, said government should take necessary precaution to avoid future accidents.
He said: “There is an evil spirit in that Tipper Garage, which needs to be cast away. An accident will not happen before or after the same spot, but always within that spot.
“The dead bodies I counted at a glance yesterday was 5 because I couldn’t withstand the shock. I had to vacate the scene immediately with tears in my eyes. There are still more dead bodies trapped under the tipper and keke.
“The solutions to that problem are: The government should construct speed bumps from Usman Dam Hill to the traffic light. There shouldn’t be a bus stop in that Tipper Garage, nobody should stop or wait for any vehicle or anybody in that spot. No tipper or trailer should ply the road during day time e.g 6am to 8pm.
“Barricade the road and construct a pedestrian bridge within police signboard and Dutse Baupma. Evacuate all the traders along the roadside with immediate alacrity. Create a bus, keke and okada terminal for commuters. The government should station fire service vehicles, ambulances, towing vehicles and enough police and traffic warden in that Tipper Garage. May the souls of those that died in that accident rest in peace!”
Frequently, road crashes are witnessed at Tipper Garage, a junction that separates Bmuko and Baupma, both in Dutse.
Every year, accidents are recorded at the junction, despite the installation of traffic lights, as a result of human and vehicular movements.