Police: Vehicle rams into Mosque in Minna

The Police Command in Plateau has arrested 16 suspects over kidnapping, armed robbery, culpable homicide and unlawful possession of firearms.

The Police Command in Niger says a fully loaded petroleum product tanker coming from Minna to Suleja skidded off the road and rammed into a Mosque at Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area.

Mr Adamu Usman, the state’s Commissioner of Police, confirmed the accident in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Monday.

Usman said that the accident, which occurred at about 22:45 hours on Sunday, led to the burning of a car and another articulated vehicle loaded with goods.

“52 lock shops by the roadside and 10 houses were also razed,” he said.

“We have since commenced an investigation and warned truck drivers to desist from carrying people in the truck as such vehicles are not for passengers,” he said.

The Commissioner said that the police and the fire service are fully on the ground controlling the situation.

Malam Ibrahim Maje, a resident of Lambata, told NAN that no life was lost in the ensuing inferno, but many people were wounded while escaping from the scene.