The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has vowed to ban heavy duty trucks in the Maiduguri city centre following an accident that claimed the lives of two students.

The incident involving a truck and a school bus conveying students of Borno State University also resulted in many students sustaining various degrees of injuries.

A statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, said Mr Zulum reiterated his administration’s determination to enforce a ban on trucks and other heavy vehicles from accessing the city centre to minimise future accidents.

“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 Borno State Government will take deliberate and decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of such a tragic incident,” the governor said.

Mr Zulum also announced that the state government would cover medical expenses of the injured students currently receiving treatment.

The governor also sympathised with the parents and guardians of the students affected by the motor accident along Maiduguri-Damaturu 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,” Mr Zulum said.

He also pledged to personally visit the victims in the hospital to sympathise with them and their families. 

(NAN)