*15 died in Kwara, 10 in Ogun, 7 in Kogi States respectively
*26 persons also sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crashes
*FRSC in various states confirmed the incident blaming them on dangerous driving
*It advised motorists to avoid over speeding, night travels, to always obey traffic rules
By Kayode AbdulAzeez, Ilorin, Patrick Wemambu and Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Thirty two persons yesterday lost their lives in multiple road crashes that occurred in Kwara, Ogun and Kogi States respectively.
Twenty six persons also sustained varying degrees of in the crashes and were rescued and rushed to various hospitals by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.
In Kwara, it was a lone trailer crash along the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway in the state in the early hours of Monday.
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.
He 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.
In Ogun State, 10 persons lost their lives while six others sustained varying degrees of injures in a fatal road crash that occurred at Saapade Bridge along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway.
The accident which involved a white Sinotruk (CNHTC) truck and a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 290 YM was confirmed by Ogun FRSC Sector Command spokesman, Afolabi Odunsi in a statement made available on Monday.
Odunsi said; “A total of 18 persons were involved in the crash, comprising 15 adult males, 2 adult females and 1 male child. Sadly, 10 persons lost their lives, comprising 9 adult males and 1 male child, while 6 persons (4 adult males and 2 adult females) sustained varying degrees of injuries. Two adult males escaped unhurt.”
Preliminary investigation by the Command revealed that the crash was caused by speed violation (SPV), wrongful overtaking (WOV) and dangerous driving (DGD).
“The truck driver reportedly reversed on the highway after missing his direction, while the approaching bus, travelling at high speed, attempted to navigate through the limited space available and rammed into the truck,” the Sector Command spokesman informed.
He added that the FRSC rescue operatives arrived promptly at the scene and evacuated the injured victims to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical treatment, while the deceased were deposited at FOS Mortuary, Ipara.
The personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, have reportedly taken custody of the crashed vehicles, while arrangements have been made for their evacuation.
Ogunjobi however warned motorists, particularly commercial drivers and truck operators, against reversing on highways, excessive speeding, dangerous driving and other traffic violations that endanger lives.
In Kogi State, seven persons were confirmed dead, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a tragic road accident along the Okene–Osara–Lokoja Highway in Kogi State.
The Kogi Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Lawal Fagge, confirmed the incident while speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Monday.
He said that the crash occurred when the ill-fated commercial Sienna bus carrying the passengers en route Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT reportedly rammed into a stationary heavy-duty truck that was undergoing repairs by the roadside at Osara.
According to Fagge, the bus suffered a tyre burst while on excessive speeding, causing the driver to lose control before crashing into the parked truck.
The Sector Commander said six occupants of the Sienna bus died instantly, while the motor boy attached to the stationary truck also lost his life, bringing the total number of fatalities to seven.
He added that three other occupants of the bus sustained injuries and were promptly rescued by FRSC personnel, who evacuated them to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Fagge disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at a morgue, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash were ongoing.
