Two students of Borno State University (BOSU) have died while several others were injured after a Dangote Truck rammed into their vehicle, a school bus, in which they were travelling in following the completion of their semester examinations.
It was reported that the deceased, a male final-year student, and a female part-two student were traveling in the university bus when a speeding Dangote truck lost control and crashed into their vehicle at Njimtilo along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road.
Professor Babagana Gutti, Vice Chancellor of BOSU, described the incident as “a tragic loss of young lives.” In a statement, he said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims. We commiserate with them and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The university community has rallied around the families of the deceased, offering support and condolences. Barrister Malam Fannami, Head of Service, Borno, said: “We are doing everything possible to support the families and ensure the injured students receive the best possible care.”
The accident has raised concerns about road safety in Nigeria, where accidents are common due to poor road conditions and reckless driving.
A spokesperson for the Borno Police Command, Nahum Daso, in a telephone interview, said the Commissioner of Police, Mohammadu Yusuf, has commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for the departed souls.
The commissioner urged all drivers to exercise caution and follow traffic rules to prevent such tragedies.
He assured that all traffic rules would be enforced during this festive period to ensure the safety of commuters. The two deceased students will be buried today, Thursday.
