Seventeen people, including a commercial bus driver and two conductors, have reportedly died in a road accident in Imo State.

Witnesses said the accident occurred on Tuesday when a tipper truck collided with an 18-seater commercial bus along Orlu Road in Owerri, the state capital.

A witness explained that the tipper driver was attempting to avoid a pothole when he swerved off his lane and crashed into the bus, resulting in the deaths of everyone on board.

The tipper driver reportedly sustained severe injuries and was unconscious.

A resident stated that some bodies of the victims were trapped under the wrecked vehicles, while others were recovered and taken to a morgue.

Okoye Henry, police spokesperson in Imo, was not immediately available for comment when contacted (by TheCable) for more information on the accident.

In May, about 15 people died and many others were injured after a truck crashed into four buses at the Imo State University (IMSU) junction in Owerri.

Witnesses said the truck collided with vehicles coming from the opposite direction due to a brake failure in the Ugwu-Orji area.

The Bauchi Police Command has confirmed the death of a two-year-old girl in Bauchi, the state capital.

It was gathered that the baby was raped to death.

Ahmed Wakil, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, on Tuesday, said in a statement that the Ningi Police Divisional Headquarters received a report of a motionless body of a two-year-old baby found beside a mosque on Deneva Street, Ningi Local Government Area, with suspected signs of rape.

Wakil stated, “Upon receiving the report, detectives were dispatched to the scene, and the victim’s body was taken to the General Hospital Ningi, where a medical report confirmed that the baby had suffered severe injuries as a result of penetration, which led to her death.

“The state Commissioner of Police, Auwal Mohammed, has directed the Divisional Police Officer to make extra efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“He also called on parents and guardians

Jubilant Donald Trump supporters gathered in Florida on election night, eagerly awaiting the former president to speak after securing key wins in his bid for the White House.

Men in formal suits and women in dresses mingled at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre, where they rubbed shoulders with a devoted Trump fan sporting his name emblazoned on a leather vest.

Whether dressed formally or in casual attire, many attendees wore Trump’s signature red “Make America Great Again” baseball caps.

“I feel like Trump has won this election. This is over, and I feel like the world’s about to be much greater,” said Moses Abraham, 22.

On Wednesday, Trump moved closer to a potential victory over Kamala Harris, leaving his Democratic rival with a narrow path to block a remarkable political comeback.

“This is like 2016. I feel we are on the same path to win. I feel very optimistic about tonight. Donald Trump is the perfect fit for America,” said Jo Ann Poly Calvo.

Florida, located in the southeastern United States, has become a spiritual home for Trump as he faces legal challenges in his native New York.

He maintains a residence in this Republican stronghold at Mar-a-Lago, which also serves as a members’ club.

While some attendees at the Palm Beach event expressed nervousness about the election outcome, with Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris locked in a close race in opinion polls, others were more confident.

Rocco Talarico, 68, wore a “MAGA” cap and a leather vest inscribed with “Born to Ride” and “Donald Trump.”

He expressed confidence that Trump would prevail.

“We need that because our country right now has no borders, our crime is bad, our stock market is bad, and our gas and food prices are high. Kamala (Harris) did nothing for four years,” he said.

Mike McCormack, 50, was even more critical of Harris as he awaited Trump’s appearance on what could be one of the most consequential US election nights in recent memory.

“I don’t feel Donald Trump could be influenced from outside as much, and I strongly believe that Harris is actually controlled and manipulated. I have no faith in her,” he told AFP.

He also questioned the integrity of the polls, a topic Trump has raised repeatedly without evidence, suggesting a conspiracy by his opponents to deny him the presidency.

“I have some confidence in this election (but) not a whole lot. There have been some suspicious things happening. People have been arrested and convicted of voter fraud. So, I don’t know,” said McCormack.

Credit: AFP