Road smash kills 16 in northern Nigeria

Sixteen people have been killed in a road accident in northern Nigeria, officials said Friday, prompting state authorities to declare three days of mourning. 

The accident occurred on Wednesday when a truck lost control in heavy rain and rammed into four vehicles conveying supporters of Zamfara state governor Bello Matawalle, they said.

It occurred at Tsafe, 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the state capital Gusau.

"Sixteen people were killed in the crash" and several were taken to hospital for treatment, road safety official Yassar Shehu told AFP.

Matawalle's spokesman, Zailani Bappa, said the victims were his supporters who had been travelling to welcome him after a trip.

"The governor directed for the observance of a three-day mourning in honour of the departed souls," Bappa said in a statement.

Accidents are common on Nigerian roads, typically caused by reckless driving, speeding, over-loading or lack of maintenance.