A tragic accident claimed several lives on Sunday evening near the NYSC Orientation Camp along the Wannune-Gboko Road in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.

The crash involved a Dangote cement truck and a Toyota Sienna vehicle.

Eyewitnesses said that the Dangote truck, heavily loaded with cement, reportedly veered into the path of the Sienna and struck it head-on. The impact crushed the smaller vehicle, trapping nearly all its occupants.

One of the first responders at the scene shared a deeply emotional account of the rescue efforts:

“It’s something no one should ever see. We managed to force open the doors, and I tried to save the baby first. Sadly, she was already gone, her tiny legs were pinned under the seat. I gently carried her out… my heart was shattered.”

While the Sienna’s driver emerged without serious injuries, several passengers were not as lucky. Two men in the front seat were pinned down, one of them was reportedly still alive and gasping for breath as rescuers tried frantically to reach him. A woman sitting in the middle row died on the spot, her body crushed by the force of the truck’s impact on the right side.

Passengers in the rear seat sustained relatively minor injuries and were quickly evacuated through the vehicle’s windows by good Samaritans.

As the rescue operation progressed, the situation became increasingly tense due to the challenge of accessing those still trapped. According to the witness, a second truck was being arranged to help lift the Dangote vehicle and reach the victims beneath.

“My driver called me to say it was time to go, so I had to leave. But when I did, the two men in front and the deceased woman were still trapped,” the eyewitness explained.

The remains of some victims were later taken to St. Christopher Hospital in Wannune.

As of press time, officials have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the crash or the exact number of casualties.