Many Feared Killed As Vehicle Veers Off Road During Calabar Bikers’ Carnival In Nigeria

Many spectators are feared killed during Calabar Bikers Carnival in Cross River State, South-South Nigeria.

Some accounts claimed no fewer than 20 persons died while some said the figure is in the region of five, with several others injured.

It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred barely an hour after Governor Ben Ayade opened the Bikers/Exotic Cars Parade, which is part of the events leading to Wednesday’s Carnival in Calabar.

The incident occurred as Bikers and Car Racers competed to outdo one another other on the road during which a vehicle veered off the road and rammed into spectators around the Bogobiri area of Mary Slessor in the state capital.

Biking is a major component of the Carnival Calabar which is holding for the first time in two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At least 12 states are reportedly participating in the 2022 edition of Carnival Calabar namely Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, AIT reports

The injured persons were taken to Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar, bringing the event to an abrupt end.

Following the incident, there were reported skirmishes in the Bogobiri community by the angry Hausas/Fulani natives, as some of their loved ones were affected, according to Blueprint.

Eyewitnesses blamed the accident on poor crowd control management.

Meanwhile, a joint team of security operatives, including Police, Army, Navy and Airforce have been deployed to strategic positions around the area to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

Source :- Sahara Reporters

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