A tragic accident occurred in Maje, a community on the outskirts of Suleja, Niger State, when a tanker crashed into a house, killing a woman and her 10-year-old grandson. The incident happened on Sunday, May 17, 2026, and sparked tension in the area, with youths blocking the Suleja-Minna Road and another road leading to Dikko Junction, which connects to the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Details of the Incident
According to a resident, Muhammad Badamasi, the truck driver arrived from the Minna axis around 7am, heading to Kaduna, when he suddenly discovered brake failure. He jumped out of the truck, leaving his assistant inside, and tried to stop the vehicle by throwing objects at its wheels from outside. However, the truck rammed into the house, killing Maryam Shuaibu, a housewife, and her 10-year-old grandson. Another girl from the family sustained injuries.
Recurring Problem
Another resident, Abdulmumini Ahmad, noted that this was the fourth time a moving tanker had crashed into the same house due to the poor condition of the federal highway in the area. During the protest, youths expressed frustration over the lack of compensation for victims' families and owners of destroyed properties from either the government or truck owners in previous incidents, prompting them to block the highway.
The protest caused a gridlock that extended to Suleja town and neighboring communities along the Minna and Dikko road axes. A delegation from the Niger State Government, led by the Commissioner for Transport, Abdullahi Shuaibu Maje, persuaded the protesters to reopen the highway around 3pm.
Aftermath
The victims were buried according to Islamic rites. The Police Area Commander in Suleja, ACP Muhammad Sani Musa, confirmed the incident.
