A petrol tanker collided with a Nigerian army convoy in the northern part of the country, killing 45 troops and injuring others, the military said Thursday.

A military spokesman said the accident occurred overnight in Borno State as the military convoy was heading to its base.

Brig. Gen. Emeka Onwuamaegbu said one officer and 44 soldiers died on the spot.

The others injured in the accident were receiving treatment, Onwuamaegbu said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2008)