Eighteen persons have died and forty others were injured in a fatal motor accident in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The accident involved a truck carrying passengers and a herd of cattle.

The spokesman of the Kebbi State Police Command Nafiu Abubakar, who confirmed the development late Monday, said it occurred at the Malisa junction of Gwandu Local  Government Area of the North-West state.

He explained that the Sunday accident involved a yet-to-be-identified driver of a truck with Reg. No. SRP 442 XA, Niger State, conveying passengers and cows from the Illela council area to Lagos.

The truck then lost control at Malisa Junction and fell, resulting in the accident that also caused the death of sixteen cows.

He added that the state police commissioner Ahmed Kontagora has visited the scene of the accident and witnessed the evacuation of victims to Gwandu General Hospital where eighteen of the victims were confirmed dead by the medical director of the hospital.

In addition, he said the injured persons are responding to treatment at the hospital.

The Commissioner, however, called on road users to comply with safety measures and be conscious while driving with a view to preventing future reoccurrence.

He also advised drivers to always observe the speed limits, avoid overloading, and recklessness and be more careful while driving.

CP Kontagora also prayed for the souls of the departed to have eternal rest as he also condoled their immediate families.