From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) yesterday ,confirmed that no fewer that 19 persons died and eight others injured in an auto crash that occurred on Sunday, along Lokoja-Obajana road.
Kumar Tsukwam, state Sector Commander of the corps in Lokoja yesterday, said that some of the survivors sustained bruises, cuts, dislocations, fractures, and fire burns.
He said the crash occurred at Gadabiu community,along Lokoja-Obajana road in Lokoja Local Government ,around 4pm on Sunday.
He revealed that among the 19 victims that were burnt to death were five children.
According to him, the fatal and very sad accident involved an articulated vehicle (Truck) and a Toyota Hummer bus heading to Abuja from the South.
He said that it was a head-on collision when the bus on high speed tried to overtake an articulated vehicle only to face an incoming articulated vehicle with no option.
“It was very unfortunate, because it was caused by speeding and wrongful overtaking and involved 27 persons with only eight survivors.
“Our rescue operation team and the police were able to rescue the eight survivors and rushed them to Fisayo Hospital, Obajana for immediate medical attention.”
The commander said that the highways were not race roads and appealed to motorists to avoid speed and wrongful overtaking.
He also tasked motorists to always keep to traffic rules and regulations to help the corps and the Federal Government in reducing road traffic crashes and carnage on roads across the country.
Meanwhile, Governor Ahmed Ododo of the state , yesterday ,expressed sorrow over the tragic road accident .
Ododo described the incident as “devastating loss, not only to the families of the victims,but to the entire state.
The governor, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Ismaila Isah, lamented that the accident was as a result of overspeeding and wrongful overtaking.
“Losing 19 lives, including innocent children, in one accident is a tragedy for which words can not fully express our grief.
“Our hearts are heavy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected, and we must take urgent steps to prevent such sorrowful occurrences.
“Every life matters, and no journey is worth the risk of over speeding. We hereby call for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and discipline by road users.
“He commended the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police in responding swiftly to the accident and rescuing the eight survivors.
“The governor extends his confidences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, who are currently receiving treatment in a hospital in the state.
“He further called for a sustained public education campaign on road safety rules, the dangers of excessive speed and enhanced coordination among emergency response agencies.
“Ododo directed the state Ministry of Information and Communications to collaborate with the FRSC to upscale enlightenment campaigns that would improve road safety in all parts of the state.
In another development,seven persons have been reportedly killed in a lone accident involving a truck along Katsina Ala, Benue State.
A witness told newsmen in Makurdi that the accident occurred on Saturday, May 24, 2025. He said the truck which was loaded with bags of cement with 15 people sitting on them was heading to Zaki Biam in Ukum LGA when the accident happened.
The source, Tyom said the truck was carrying 600 bags of cement with 15 people sitting on them.
He explained that the truck was on high speed and mistakenly ran into a pothole, lost control and fell down killing some of its occupants and injuring others.
Tyom said, “The truck was involved in an accident on Saturday, seven people died, six others sustained varied degree of injuries and two others escaped.”
The Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Steve Ayodele confirmed the accident and stated that 15 people were involved.
He said, “The accident happened along Katsina Ala/Zaki Biam road around 11 am on Saturday and it involved 15 people, seven were killed, six injured and two without injury.
The sector commander said that the road had been cleared for free movement of vehicles.