By Kayode AbdulAzeez, Ilorin
No fewer than 15 persons were killed in a lone trailer crash along the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway in Kwara State in the early hours of Monday, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The fatal accident occurred at about 2:32 a.m. near the Muslim Cemetery along the Ogbomoso–Oko Olowo axis of the expressway, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
An FRSC report indicated that the crash involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC. A total of 48 male occupants were in the vehicle when the accident occurred. Besides the 15 fatalities, 17 persons suffered injuries, while 16 others escaped unhurt.
The report attributed the crash to driver fatigue, noting that the injured victims sustained fractures, dislocations and bruises.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, identified the driver as Nasiru Muhammed.
Kazeem said the injured victims were evacuated to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of those who died had been released to their families through the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo in Moro Local Government Area of the state.
He added that rescue teams were continuing efforts to search for possible victims trapped beneath the trailer’s load.
According to him, the rescue operation was carried out jointly by personnel of FRSC RS8.15 Oloru Unit and RS8.1 Kwara Command, Oko Olowo Outpost.
The sector commander said the command would intensify public enlightenment campaigns through town hall meetings with transport operators and other stakeholders to promote safer road use.
He also advised motorists to avoid night travel, driver fatigue and the practice of mixed loading, stressing that adherence to road safety regulations remains critical to reducing road traffic crashes.
