Bus fully loaded with Nigerian players goes up in flames

The players of Nigeria Premier Football League side, Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi on Thursday morning escaped death by whiskers after the bus conveying them went up in flames.

The players were said to be on their way to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to honour an NPFL match before the accident occurred at Hawan Kibo in Plateau State.

Wikki Tourists are scheduled to face Dakkada United in the league match scheduled for Saturday.

The accident was confirmed to journalists in Bauchi by the secretary of the club, Abdullahi Ibrahim, via telephone.

According to Ibrahim, the team left Bauchi by 4:00am Thursday morning and was having a smooth journey until the accident occurred in Plateau State.

“Yes one of the tires of the bus burst and the vehicle was engulfed by fire. Fortunately the vehicle did not somersault and all the players and other occupants were able to escape through the windows of the bus.

“No one was hurt but the players and the occupants are in shock,” the club secretary informed.

“Thank God no one is hurt but the players are in the shock because they all escaped out of the windows of bus but all their match kits, jerseys, boots were burnt to ashes,” he said.