Two die in Kano as bitumen tipper slides back into Mercedes at Dangi Underpass
- A tipper truck loaded with bitumen crashed into a Mercedes-Benz at Dangi Underpass on the Kano-Zaria Road on Tuesday evening.
- The FRSC said the truck's brakes likely failed, and two of the four men involved died.
- The Kano FRSC sector commander urged fleet operators to service brakes and tyres regularly.
Two men have died after a tipper truck loaded with bitumen crashed into a Mercedes-Benz car at Dangi Underpass along the Kano-Zaria Road in Kano State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, said the crash happened at about 5:50pm on Tuesday. It involved a Howo tipper with registration number RMG 332 XA and a Mercedes-Benz C180 with registration number ABJ 783 GB.
Abdullahi Labaran, the command's public relations officer, confirmed the deaths in a statement on Tuesday night. He said four adult males were involved and two were confirmed dead.
According to the FRSC's preliminary findings, the truck is suspected to have developed brake problems. The driver reportedly lost control, and the truck slid backwards and struck the Mercedes-Benz behind it.
Rescue workers and other emergency responders took the victims to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for treatment. The FRSC did not name the dead or give details on the condition of the survivors.
Why it matters to road users
The Kano-Zaria Road is a busy highway, and heavy trucks carrying construction loads pass through it daily. A truck that loses its brakes on a slope can hit cars and pedestrians with little warning, so the condition of these vehicles is a safety issue for every road user.
Idris Lawal, the Kano Sector Commander of the FRSC, condoled with the families of the dead and prayed for the repose of their souls.
He urged commercial vehicle operators, transport unions and construction companies to make routine vehicle maintenance a priority, especially checks on braking systems and tyres.
Lawal warned that mechanical faults in heavy-duty vehicles carrying large loads can put both occupants and other road users in danger, particularly on busy highways.
He also advised motorists to drive defensively, keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and stay alert to changing road conditions. Drivers, he said, must confirm their vehicles are roadworthy before setting out.
What happens next
The FRSC said its investigation into the crash is still at a preliminary stage. The corps did not say whether anyone had been arrested or charged over the incident.
For now, the agency's focus is on getting fleet operators to inspect brakes and tyres before trucks hit the road.
