By Christopher Oji and Desmond Mgboh, Kano
It was a black Sunday in Kano and Lagos states, respectively, as 29 people were killed in two separate road disasters.
While 21 passengers died in Kasuwa Dogo, Dakatsalle, along the Kano-Zaria Road, eight lost their lives in Badagey, Lagos.
A statement signed by the public relations officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano state, Abdullahi Labaran, explained that the accident occurred around 8.23 a.m. yesterday.
According to the statement, the crash involved a DAF trailer with registration number GWL 422ZE, and a Toyota bus with registration number KMC 171YM.
He said: “Preliminary investigation conducted by the FRSC rescue team revealed that the crash was caused by route violation by the driver of the Toyota Hummer bus, which led to a head-on collision with the trailer. The impact resulted in a fire outbreak that engulfed the vehicles.”
Giving more details of the tragedy, the statement noted that a total of 24 people were involved, adding that whilè 21 persons lost their lives three sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“The burnt bodies of the deceased were evacuated and deposited at Nasarawa Hospital Mortuary, Kano, while the injured victims were taken to Garun Malam General Hospital for medical attention,” the statement explained.
Labaran added that the road obstruction caused by the accident has been successfully cleared by their operatives, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, adding that normal traffic flow in the affected area has since been restored.
He expressed sorrow over the tragic incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and called on all road users to strictly obey traffic rules, particularly avoiding dangerous overtaking, route violation and night travel.
Meanwhile, eight people died, while eight others were injured in an auto crash that occurred in Badagry, Lagos State.
The accident involved a commercial bus and a DAF truck at Atura Bus stop, Badagry.
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) blamed the accident on carelessness and speeding. According to LATSMA, the first responder to the scene of the accident, it occurred at Atura Bus stop, inbound Badagry, involving a 16-seater commercial Mazda bus, with registration number: KJA 811YF and a DAF truck, with number plate T1 4636LA.
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement, said the accident claimed eight passengers, including the driver of the bus and his conductor.
“LASTMA operatives, in concert with personnel from the FRSC, police from Morogbo Division and the 244 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Ibereko Barracks, swiftly launched a coordinated rescue operation at the accident scene.
“Their timely intervention led to the successful extraction of eight surviving passengers, all of whom sustained varying degrees of trauma. These casualties were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Badagry, via an FRSC, vehicle for critical medical attention.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the commercial bus lost control while navigating at a perilously high speed, leading to a collision with a DAF truck. The resultant impact was described as cataclysmic, leaving little chance for evasion or survival for several occupants of the bus.
“General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who visited the crash site to personally evaluate the situation, extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for divine fortitude to help them withstand the immeasurable and irreplaceable loss.
“This heart-wrenching incident is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for all road users to embrace caution. No journey should end in such tragedy. May the Almighty grant the deceased eternal rest and console those left behind,” he declared.
He further extended warm wishes for a swift and full recovery to the surviving victims still undergoing treatment.
Bakare-Oki issued a stern admonition to commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators, urging them to eschew excessive speeding, adhere strictly to safety protocols, and ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles to avoid unnecessary fatalities.
“This regrettable loss of lives could have been avoided if the basic tenets of defensive driving and vehicular safety had been upheld. Speed remains a silent killer on our highways.
“The GM reiterated the agency’s transition from conventional traffic regulation to a more holistic incident management paradigm. This shift, he noted, is in alignment with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritizes preventive safety measures, rapid emergency response, and infrastructural innovation in urban mobility.
“We are no longer merely controlling traffic; we are managing emergencies, mitigating disasters, and saving lives. This is the ethos of contemporary traffic administration,” he emphasized.
“He also highlighted the deployment of speed-limiting mechanisms at critical flashpoints across Lagos—part of the state government’s broader commitment to reducing road carnage, protecting commuters, and fostering a culture of compliance and safety.
“LATSMA extends its deepest appreciation to its sister agencies: FRSC, the Nigeria Police, and the Nigerian Army, for their swift, coordinated and patriotic intervention, which helped to contain the tragic fallout of today’s accident.”
While applauding the professionalism and courage of LASTMA operatives, who were first on the scene, the agency once again, appealed to road users to demonstrate heightened caution, situational awareness and civic responsibility, particularly in intercity corridors where speed, fatigue, and inattention too often yield devastating consequences.