Abuja accident: Agency calls for blood donation as death toll hits 10

The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has called on Nigerians, particularly residents of the Federal Capital Territory, to donate blood to support victims of the ghastly accident that occurred on the AYA-Karu expressway, Abuja on Wednesday. This is coming as the death toll from the accident has reportedly risen to 10. Relevant government agencies, including […]

The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has called on Nigerians, particularly residents of the Federal Capital Territory, to donate blood to support victims of the ghastly accident that occurred on the AYA-Karu expressway, Abuja on Wednesday.

This is coming as the death toll from the accident has reportedly risen to 10.

Relevant government agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, had earlier confirmed that six people died in the accident while 25 others sustained injuries.

Those who sustained injuries were rushed to several hospitals, including the National Hospital, Nyanya, Karu and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital at Gwagwalada.

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The FRSC, yesterday, said 35 people were involved in the crash that involved 18 vehicles, including two articulated vehicles, two buses, one jeep and 11 car.

The NBSA, in a statement signed by its Director General, Saleh Yuguda, said the incident resulted in multiple casualties, many of whom required immediate blood transfusions.

Mr Yuguda, a professor, stated that hospitals and emergency response teams were working tirelessly to save lives, but an adequate blood supply was crucial to their efforts. 

“We urge all eligible donors to visit designated blood donation centres and hospitals across the FCT to make voluntary blood donations. Your generosity can make the difference between life and death for those in critical condition,” he said.

 

Death toll rises to 10

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) yesterday said the death toll from the accident has risen to 10.

The FEMD’s Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, confirmed the number in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier in the morning, the acting Director-General of the Agency, Abdulrahman Mohammed, had confirmed that eight persons had died as of Thursday morning, with five confirmed dead on the scene, and four others burnt beyond recognition.

He said, “Five people were taken dead from the scene yesterday (Wednesday). Out of the people that were injured, one died, making six. Then this morning, when I asked my people to go round, they discovered that two had already died again, making eight. Four of them from yesterday were burnt beyond recognition.”

However, in her statement, Isa said the Head, Forecasting Response and Mitigation (FEMD), Mr Mark Nyam, said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital mortuary, one at the Asokoro District Hospital morgue while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.

He added that some victims had been referred to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, and Cedercrest Hospital, Abuja, for proper care.

 

How it happened – Victims

Some of the victims of the incident narrated how it happened.

One of them, who spoke with the Daily Trust at the National Hospital, Abuja, John Baringo, said they were in a trailer belonging to a private company working at the presidential villa heading to Mararaba axis when the incident happened.

He said their trailer was in front of the ill-fated Dangote truck, that caused the accident.

According to him, the truck, loaded with cement, suffered a failed brake and its driver was trying to control it.

‘’About four cars were between our trailer and the ill-fated truck. The driver was apparently looking for something he could hit to stop the truck from causing much damage.

‘’After hitting four small cars, the driver saw our trailer and he thought if he hit the container of the trailer, his truck would stop.

‘’As soon as he hit our trailer, the truck stopped and we all ran out. Some ran a few metres and stopped but some of us ran very far away. A few minutes later, the CNG cylinders of the truck started exploding one after the other and started burning cars and people.

‘’Eight of us inside the trailer were affected. One died and the remaining were taken to the National Hospital and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital at Gwagwalada.’’

Another victim of the incident, Lucky Sunday, said they narrowly escaped fire caused by the crash.

 “After we closed from work around 6pm as we were heading home, we got caught in an accident. There was a heavy blast and fire subsequently – the truck got burned completely,” he said. 

 

Another truck crashes on Abuja road

Barely 24 hours after, another truck crashed under Karu Bridge, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway. 

The incidence occurred at about 3:54pm on Thursday afternoon.

The Head of Public Affairs of the FCT Emergency Management Department, Nkechi Isa, confirmed the accident in a statement, stating that the truck collided with a Hijet and a dump truck, adding that no life was lost.

She cautioned road users to drive with caution. 

 

Tinubu sympathises with victims, orders probe

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a thorough investigation into the accident.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement, said the president condoled with family members who lost loved ones in the inferno, which happened at the peak hour.

President Tinubu ordered priority treatment of the injured victims in various medical facilities in the capital city.

The president directed security agencies, particularly those concerned with road safety, to pay closer attention to traffic around the capital city’s entry and exit points.

Tinubu also prayed for the souls of the departed and the grace of the Almighty God to comfort families that have lost their loved ones.

 

Wike offers to pay victims’ medical bills

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has sympathised with the victims of the accident and offered to foot the medical bills of the casualties.

The minister, who described the accident as avoidable, expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and directed cthe ontinuation of treatment of those who sustained injuries.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT minister said when he heard about the accident, he immediately directed the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, to ensure prompt treatment of the injured.

“On my directive, the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, was in Asokoro District Hospital, till today’s morning and she was among the medical personnel, who attended to the 17 casualties brought to the hospital.

“She briefed me that after initial stabilisation, seven of the 17 casualties received were referred to the National Hospital, six with minor injuries were treated successfully, three with severe burns and inhalation and crush injuries are currently receiving treatment.

“However, one of the casualties with third-degree burns passed away while being resuscitated,” he said.

 

Why Abuja-Nyanya road faces recurring accidents

The Abuja-Kugbo-Nyanya road, a major artery connecting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to neighbouring states, has become notorious for its high incidence of accidents. Most of the accidents that happen along the axis are caused by articulated vehicles.

A number of factors contribute to these recurrent accidents, which not only result in the loss of lives but also cause economic hardship and emotional trauma to victims and their families.

Some commuters, who ply the road said one major factor responsible for accidents along the road is the sloppy nature of the stretch between the Kugbo Furniture Market and Karu Bridge.

“Most of the articulated vehicles with heavy load, as they try to speed through the area recklessly often end up causing fatal accidents,’’ Hajiya Amina told Daily Trust.

She said some of the articulated vehicle drivers often refused to abide by the restriction of movement placed by the FCT Administration while the law enforcement agents failed to enforce the law.

Articulated vehicles are restricted from moving on the road during peak hours, when many people are either returning from work or rushing to their offices.

 

What drivers should do – FRSC, police

The FRSC’s Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, urged drivers to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on any journey, emphasising the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks.

“The FRSC has been working tirelessly to reduce road crashes through aggressive sensitisation of passengers and enforcement of traffic laws.

“The corps has also been collaborating with other agencies to promote road safety awareness and prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future,” he said.

The FCT police command also urged members of the public to exercise caution and adhere to the speed limit while driving, especially in high-traffic areas, saying, “Safe driving habits can prevent tragedies like this and save lives.”