No fewer than 19 people, including five children, lost their lives in a fatal accident in Kogi State on Sunday, while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Kogi State, Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, told journalists in Lokoja that the crash occurred at about 4:00 p.m. in the Gadabiu community of Lokoja Local Government Area.
Tsukwam explained that the accident was the result of excessive speeding and reckless overtaking by a Toyota Hummer bus heading to Abuja from the southern part of the country. The bus reportedly collided head-on with an oncoming articulated truck.
“It was a head-on collision that involved 27 persons. Sadly, 19 people were burnt to death, including five children,” Tsukwam stated. “Only eight individuals survived the crash, and they are currently receiving treatment for bruises, cuts, dislocations, fractures, and fire burns at Fisayo Hospital in Obajana.”
The FRSC commander lamented that such avoidable accidents continue to claim innocent lives due to impatience and disregard for traffic laws by drivers.
“These highways are not race tracks. Speeding and dangerous overtaking are major causes of fatal crashes. We urge motorists to exercise caution and obey traffic regulations,” he warned.
He further appealed to road users to support the efforts of the FRSC and the Federal Government in reducing the rate of road accidents and fatalities across the country.
Rescue operations were carried out by the FRSC in collaboration with the police, who assisted in evacuating the injured victims and recovering the bodies of the deceased.
