Road accident claims 22 in northern Nigeria

At least 22 persons were burnt to death in Nigeria on Wednesday following an auto crash in Takai in northwestern Kano State. An eyewitness told reporters that the incident happened around 12:30 p.m., local time, adding nine other persons who sustained injuries were receiving treatment at the Takai General Hospital. He said the vehicle, an old model Ford, was carrying 34 persons and bags of foodstuffs. The vehicle was traveling from Magami village when it somersaulted and burst into flames, he said. He said 17 of the victims were women while others were children and men. "Only the driver and one other passenger escaped unhurt during the incident," he added. When contacted, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the area, Garba Ibrahim, confirmed the number of deaths and those taken to the hospital. Ibrahim said the deceased were given mass burial at the scene of the accident by the community. Road accidents are common on the poorly maintained roads in this oil-rich West African country, especially during festive period.