Tears and Outrage in Benue as Dangote Truck Crushes Sienna, Kills Baby and Others Near NYSC Camp

Blood spilled on the Wannune-Gboko road Sunday evening as a Dangote Cement truck collided head-on with a Toyota Sienna, leaving a scene of devastation that shattered hearts in Benue State’s Tarka Local Government Area. The accident, which happened near the NYSC Orientation Camp, has sparked fresh outrage over the unchecked recklessness of heavy-duty truck drivers across Nigeria.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the Dangote truck, reportedly overloaded with cement bags, lost control and veered into the opposite lane, slamming into the Sienna. The smaller vehicle was crushed instantly. Trapped inside were several passengers — including a baby girl who died before she could be pulled from the wreck.

One of the first responders, visibly shaken, recalled the horror: “Her tiny legs were stuck under the seat. She was gone before we reached her. I lifted her like I would my own child. It broke me.” His emotional account mirrors the growing frustration among locals over the high rate of fatal crashes involving Dangote trucks.

While the Sienna’s driver escaped with minor injuries, two men in the front seat were pinned under the dashboard. One was still gasping for breath when volunteers tried to reach him with crude tools. A woman seated in the middle row was killed instantly, her body wedged against the metal frame. Others in the rear seat managed to crawl out through shattered windows.

Rescue efforts were chaotic. Bystanders attempted to lift the cement truck manually until a second truck was arranged to help dislodge it. As darkness fell, the crowd grew restless, some demanding answers from authorities while others offered prayers for those still trapped.

The remains of the deceased were eventually conveyed to St. Christopher Hospital in Wannune, while injured survivors received emergency care. Local residents say this stretch of road has become a death trap and are calling for immediate intervention.

As of this report, no official statement has been released by FRSC or Dangote Group. Meanwhile, citizens online are demanding accountability, justice for the victims, and a nationwide safety audit of corporate logistics operations.