Tragedy as 10 perished in Kogi road crash

By Isa Isawade

Tragedy occurred late Friday night in Kogi when ten passengers perished in a road crash along the Obajana–Lokoja highway.

According to officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 11 others were seriously injured.

FRSC said the accident which involved a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number KTG 100YL occurred around 11:30 p.m. on October 10 near Apamaru.

The vehicle was said to be carrying 21 male passengers when it lost control due to excessive speeding and wrongful overtaking.

Preliminary investigations by FRSC officers confirmed that the driver was attempting to overtake another vehicle when he lost control, leading to the fatal crash.

A statement signed by the corps spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide on Saturday, said “All 10 victims died on the spot, while 11 others sustained serious injuries, including deep cuts, fractures, and bruises.”

The injured passengers were rushed to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for treatment while remains of the deceased were handed over to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, as they were all Muslims.

The Sarikin Hausawa of Obajana coordinated the burial rites otherwise called Janasa.

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, in the statement, expressed deep sorrow and issued a strong call for increased passenger vigilance, especially during night journeys.

He called on commercial vehicle operators to adhere strictly to road safety regulations, emphasising that the corps will intensify its enforcement on overloading and advocacy to discourage night journey across critical corridors in Nigeria.

He implored passengers to speak out and caution drivers whose actions endanger lives, noting that silence in the face of recklessness is complicity in tragedy.

He emphasised that there are too many dangers associated with night travel.

He urged commercial drivers to strictly adhere to safety regulations.