Auto crash: Zulum mourns Borno varsity students, moves to restrict trailers

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed sorrow over the auto accident that claimed the lives of two students and left 16 critically injured along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road on Wednesday.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Dauda Illiya, the governor extended his condolences to the Borno State University community, parents, and guardians of the affected students.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that two unidentified Borno State University students died and 23 others were injured in a road accident involving the school staff bus and a truck on Njimtilo Road.

“I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of the affected students, the management, staff, and students of Borno State University over this unfortunate incident.

“I am deeply touched by this tragic accident involving a students’ bus and a trailer, which occurred as the students were returning after completing their examinations,” Zulum said.

The accident, which occurred in the Njimtilo area, involved a truck belonging to Dangote Group and a university bus conveying students.

While eight of the injured students have been discharged and are recuperating, others remain hospitalised.

To prevent future occurrences, Zulum directed the Ministry of Works to fast-track the completion of the ongoing Maiduguri Trailer Park project.

“I have instructed the Ministry of Works to ensure the immediate completion of the trailer park. Once operational, trailers will no longer be permitted into the city centre, a move aimed at reducing intra-city road accidents within the metropolis,” the governor announced.

He further assured all that the state government is committed to taking “deliberate and decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of such a tragic incident.”

In addition to these measures, Zulum pledged that the state government would cover all medical expenses for the injured students and personally visit them in the hospital to extend his sympathy.

He wished the injured students a swift recovery and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety measures across the state.

The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of students and residents in Maiduguri, with Zulum’s administration vowing to implement stricter regulations on heavy vehicles in the metropolis.