32 Killed in 24 hours as road carnage rocks Nigeria

By Kennedy Sheyin

No fewer than 32 people have lost their lives in three separate road crashes that occurred within hours in Kogi, Ogun and Kwara states, prompting the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to renew its call for responsible driving and strict compliance with traffic regulations.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, the FRSC described the crashes as tragic and extended condolences to the families of the victims while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.

According to the statement, the first crash occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday along the Okene-Lokoja Road before Confluence University, Osara, in Kogi State.

The accident involved a MAN truck and a Toyota Sienna commercial bus, leaving seven people dead-six male adults and one female adult, while three male adults sustained injuries. The injured were taken to Abobo General Hospital, with a preliminary investigation identifying tyre burst as the cause of the crash.

Barely hours later, another fatal accident occurred at about 8:05 p.m. at Sapade Bridge on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway in Ogun State.

The collision involved a SINOTRUK truck and a Toyota Hiace bus, claiming 10 lives, including nine male adults and one male child. Six people sustained injuries and were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while two others escaped unhurt. Preliminary findings blamed speeding, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving.

The deadliest of the three crashes occurred in the early hours of Monday at Oko-Olowo along the Ogbomosho-Oloru Road in Kwara State, where a DAF trailer conveying passengers and goods crashed.

The lone accident involved 48 male adults, leaving 15 people dead, 17 injured and 16 unhurt. The FRSC attributed the crash to driver fatigue, adding that the high casualty figure was worsened by the illegal practice of mixed loading, with passengers travelling alongside goods.

Reacting to the incidents, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the crashes as heartbreaking and entirely preventable, blaming recurring violations such as speeding, dangerous driving, poor tyre maintenance, driver fatigue and mixed loading.

He urged motorists and transport operators to ensure only roadworthy vehicles are used, obey speed limits, inspect tyres regularly, avoid driving while fatigued and never transport passengers with goods.

Mohammed also reaffirmed the FRSC’s commitment to sustained enforcement, public enlightenment and rapid emergency response, stressing that road safety remains a shared responsibility. (NAN)