Abuja  - Five people were killed when a robbery attempt caused a firey road accident Thursday in Akure, south-west Nigeria.

The carnage involved two commuter buses and a truck hauling pepper.

The accident was caused by a gang of armed robbers, who threw a spike under a truck, forcing it to stop abruptly, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Aremu Adeniran who confirmed the incident.

Adeniran explained that attempting to avoid the truck, two commuter buses collided with each other and caught fire. The conflagration burned five commuters.

Adeniran said that the armed robbers fled immediately, leaving behind some arms and ammunition.

Rescue workers, including officials of the state-run Federal Road Safety Corps, raced to the scene to clear the wreckage and assist survivors, he said.

He added that police had begun an investigation into the incident. (dpa)