The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed seven people dead and 29 injured in an accident that occurred during Calabar’s annual carnival on Tuesday.
Corps Sector Commander Maikano Hassan confirmed the casualty figure to the Nigerian News Agency.
He said the accident occurred in front of the Jumat Mosque in Bogobiri in the capital city of Cross River during the Carnival Biker Parade activity.
Hassan listed the number of injured to include 21 adult men, three women, two boys and three girls.
He said the injured were rushed to the Naval hospital and Calabar University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
He added that the remains of the dead had been deposited in the two hospitals in Calabar.
According to him, the incident occurred when a Toyota Camry car lost control and struck a crowd of spectators during the carnival.
NAN reports that the incident brought an abrupt end to the activity on day five, where the governor of the state, Professor Ben Ayade, was already seated with other dignitaries.
Ayade, in a statement by his Special Media Advisor, Mr. Christian Ita, ordered security agencies to stop the hit-and-run motorist.
Standing in solidarity with the victims of the accident and their families, the governor ordered an immediate investigation to clarify how the motorist hit security barricades to gain access to roads that were closed to the public.
Ita said the governor also ordered the immediate suspension of the motorcycle parade honoring the victims of the accident.
While vowing to ensure that the culprit is arrested and brought to justice, Ayade nevertheless called for calm.
