The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of 19 persons and the injury of eight others in an auto crash that occurred on Sunday along the Lokoja-Obajana highway in Kogi State.
Mr Kumar Tsukwam, the Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lokoja on Monday.
He described the accident as “fatal and very sad”, adding that five children were among those burnt to death.
According to Tsukwam, the crash occurred at about 4 p.m. in the Gadabiu community, Lokoja Local Government Area, involving a Toyota Hummer bus travelling from the southern part of the country to Abuja and an articulated truck.
He explained that the bus, which was reportedly speeding, attempted to overtake another truck but collided head-on with an oncoming articulated vehicle.
Tsukwam said, “It was very unfortunate. The crash was caused by speeding and wrongful overtaking. It involved 27 persons, out of which only eight survived with varying degrees of injuries ranging from bruises, cuts, dislocations, fractures, to fire burns.”
He noted that the FRSC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, swiftly mobilised rescue operations and rushed the injured to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for urgent medical care.
While expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, the sector commander reiterated the dangers of excessive speed and reckless overtaking.
“Our highways are not racetracks. Motorists must adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations. This is the only way to help the FRSC and the federal government reduce the alarming rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities in the country,” he cautioned.
The corps also urged drivers to exercise patience and maintain safe driving practices, especially during long-distance journeys.
The sector commander noted that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Leave a Comment