By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
SIX persons have been killed and two others injured in a fatal road crash involving a truck and a commercial vehicle on Kabba–Odo-Ape Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The accident, which occurred on the highway, was confirmed on Sunday by the Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lawal Fagge, in a telephone interview in Lokoja.
Fagge said the vehicles were involved in a head-on collision, attributing the crash to excessive speed. He warned motorists against dangerous driving practices capable of endangering their lives and those of other road users.
“It is unfortunate that six persons lost their lives as a result of this tragic incident involving a truck and another vehicle along the Kabba–Odo-Ape Road,” Fagge said.
He said two other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries, adding that the FRSC would continue to advise motorists to avoid speeding and unnecessary overtaking.
“We are appealing to motorists to avoid speeding and desist from driving while fatigued. This is very important in preventing road crashes,” he said.
Residents of Odo-Ape reportedly joined efforts to rescue victims immediately after the crash before FRSC personnel arrived at the scene. The bodies of the deceased were subsequently conveyed to the morgue of the General Hospital, Kabba.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has expressed condolences to the families of the six victims and wished the two injured persons speedy recovery, while urging motorists to exercise greater caution on the roads.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo in a statement on Sunday conveyed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s sadness over the tragedy, describing the loss of lives as painful and unfortunate.
Fanwo said the governor shared in the grief of the affected families and communities, praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for their loved ones to bear the loss.
He urged motorists to shun reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and driving while fatigued, noting that such practices could turn ordinary journeys into tragedies.
The commissioner also called on the FRSC to intensify enforcement against speeding on highways across the state while strengthening public enlightenment and roadside monitoring to deter motorists from violating speed limits.
He said the call was necessary to complement the existing efforts of the FRSC and other stakeholders towards reducing highway crashes and protecting lives, adding that Kogi State remains committed to working with relevant agencies to improve road safety.
