Tragedy struck in Yola, the Adamawa State capital on Tuesday as no fewer than 20 persons were reportedly crushed to death after a trailer loaded with farm produce overran several tricycles popularly known as Keke Napep at Vinikling bridge (Hayin Gada) in the State.
Residents told newsmen that the accident was caused by police officers, who were pursuing the truck driver for refusing to give them money.
Residents however said that the explanation the police gave was that they were chasing the truck driver for carrying goods suspected to be foreign rice, a situation which led to the unfortunate incident, resulting in the death of many.
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“But, there was no foreign rice in the truck, it was farm produce. The driver said they were chasing him for refusing to give them money at a checkpoint,” one resident identified as Umar said.
One of the passengers, a student at the Modibo Adama University, who identified himself as Salisu Ibrahim was quoted as telling Journalists that he narrowly escaped death by whiskers.
“I did not know what happened, but we suddenly saw the truck coming with speed and police van was pursuing it. All of us in our Keke Napep jumped out and fled, the driver lost control and the truck began to hit other Keke Napep and crushing people before our very own eyes. It was horrific,” Ibrahim said.
Meanwhile, several attempts to reach Othman Abubakar, the Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa proved abortive, his phone was switched off as at press time.
Source: Within Nigeria
