Two people were killed and 19 others injured in a road traffic accident along the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State on Tuesday, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Tenimu Etuku, confirmed the incident in Lokoja, saying the crash occurred at about 9:40 a.m. and involved a commercial bus travelling from Kano to Auchi/Benin.
Casualties and Rescue
Etuku said that among the injured, four sustained serious injuries, including fractures and deep bruises, and were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. The remaining victims were treated for minor injuries.
FRSC rescue teams responded promptly to the scene and recovered the bodies of the two deceased passengers, which were deposited at the Kogi Specialist Hospital morgue in Lokoja.
Cause of the Crash
Preliminary investigations by the FRSC indicate that excessive speeding was the primary cause of the accident.
“From the vehicle manifest, the bus departed Kano on Monday evening en route to Auchi and Benin,” Etuku said.
“The crash occurred due to excessive speed, which led to loss of control.”
Safety Advisory
The FRSC commander used the incident to caution motorists, especially during the festive season, to observe speed limits and comply with traffic regulations.
“Motorists must drive responsibly and adhere strictly to traffic rules to prevent needless loss of lives,” he said, adding that safer driving habits would significantly reduce road fatalities nationwide.
Related Incidents
The Kogi crash comes amid a spate of road accidents during the Yuletide period. In a separate incident along the Isara-Remo axis of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, passengers were reportedly killed when a Suzuki bus crashed in the early hours of the morning. Officials of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) said the victims were discovered around 7:00 a.m., after the crash, which is believed to have occurred around 3:00 a.m.
Authorities have renewed calls for heightened caution on major highways as holiday travel intensifies across the country.
Source: Africa Publicity
