32 Die In Tragic Trailer, Bus Accidents

At least 32 people have been reported dead while several others sustained injuries in separate road crashes recorded in Kwara, Ogun and Kogi states between Sunday, July 5 and Monday 6.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the crashes, blaming them on traffic violations, including speeding, dangerous driving, driver fatigue, poor tyre maintenance and the illegal practice of conveying passengers alongside goods.

The latest incidents have raised fresh concerns over the growing number of fatal crashes on Nigerian roads.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, described the crashes as “heartbreaking and entirely preventable.”

Mohammed, in a statement on Monday, said recurring violations of established traffic regulations were undermining national efforts to improve road safety.

He urged motorists, transport companies and commercial vehicle operators to prioritise safety and ensure that only roadworthy vehicles ply the highways.

The Corps Marshal also warned that the FRSC would sustain aggressive enforcement against traffic violations that endanger lives.

15 Die In Kwara Crash

Naija News understands that in Kwara State, 15 people were killed while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a trailer conveying dozens of passengers crashed along the Ogbomoso–Oloru road.

The lone crash occurred at about 2:32am on Monday near the Muslim Cemetery in Oko-Olowo.

The accident involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC, driven by one Nasiru Muhammed.

A total of 48 male occupants were involved in the crash.

Fifteen victims were confirmed dead at the scene, while 17 others sustained injuries, including fractures, dislocations and bruises. Sixteen occupants escaped unhurt.

The injured victims were taken to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment.

Residents said the bodies of the deceased were released to their families through the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko-Olowo after necessary procedures.

The Kwara Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, confirmed the incident on Monday.

Kazeem, who was at the scene coordinating rescue and recovery operations, said preliminary findings linked the crash to driver fatigue.

10 Killed On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

In Ogun State, 10 passengers died while six others were injured in an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday night.

The crash occurred at about 8:05 pm around the Sapaade bridge.

It involved a white Sinotruk and a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 290 YM.

The FRSC spokesperson in Ogun State, Afolabi Odunsi, said 18 passengers were involved in the crash.

According to him, 10 people died, six sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt.

Odunsi said preliminary investigation showed that the crash was caused by speed violation, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving.

He said FRSC rescue operatives promptly arrived at the scene and evacuated the injured victims to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at FOS Mortuary, Ipara.

Kogi Crash Claims Seven Lives

In Kogi State, seven people died in another crash on the Okene-Lokoja road at Osara settlement in Adavi Local Government Area.

The accident, which occurred around 12:30 pm on Sunday, involved a bus with registration number Edo: SGD 517 XL.

The bus was said to be travelling from Auchi to Abuja when the crash occurred.

According to Daily Trust, eyewitnesses said the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a stationary truck, killing the driver and a motor mate who were fixing a punctured tyre on the trailer.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi State, Lawal Fagge, said the vehicle was on high speed when it suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control.

“Seven persons, including the motor mate of the truck driver, died on the spot, while three persons survived the carnage. The injured were taken to a hospital at Okene for treatment, while the dead were deposited at another hospital at Okene for autopsy,” he said.

The FRSC said it would continue public enlightenment and enforcement operations to curb avoidable deaths on the highways.