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Worried by the death of 17 people in two separate night trips, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu, has, again, cautioned drivers against night trips, overloading and excessive speeding.
He gave the caution again after receiving the report of the two fatal crashes that occurred yesterday, at Tashar Yari village, along Zaria-Kano Expressway and Fire Service Academy along Yangoji-Gwagwalada Expressway.
A statement by the Assistant Corps Marshal and Corps Public Education Officer of the commission, Mr. Jonas Agwu, said the reports submitted by crash investigation teams of the corps, revealed that the Tashan Yari village crash, which occurred at 0736, involved a trailer overloaded with grains and 40 passengers seating on top of the goods.
The truck marked KTG 454 ZZ, which was on a night trip, en route Kano from Azare, reportedly crashed due to wrongful overtaking, driving against legal speed limit as well as overloading of vehicles with goods and people alike. Out of the number, 12 victims were killed, while 28 sustained different levels of injuries. The statement added: “On the other hand, at 0435HRS, a particular J5 bus on a night trip that drove at a speed that was against prescribed limit on that route, crashed onto a broken down trailer that got spoiled on the expressway, and exploded into flames.
“As a result of the impact of the crash, the five victims were burnt beyond recognition. The crash investigation report attributed the cause of the crash to speed violation which led to loss of control. The crash occurred on the Yangoji-Gwagwalada expressway. It involved a trailer without registration number and a J5 Peugeot registered as XF 530GRK.
“FRSC rescue team that handled the rescue operations have taken the injured victims of the Tashan Yari crash to Makarfi General Hospital. Biu had, during his press briefing on the review of 2023 activities of the corps, decried the rate of fatal crashes that occurred as a result of night trips and fragrant violation of legal speed limits on the highways and overloading of vehicles.”
He highlighted some of the dangers associated with night trips such as poor visibility, fatigue, excessive speed and delayed post-crash response. He also cautioned against the risks associated with overloading of vehicles, especially trailers and smaller trucks that load vehicles with goods, persons and animals.
In view of the need to address this menace, the Corps Marshal has directed Commanding Officers to step up enforcement, stakeholders’ engagement, as well as enhance advocacy campaigns.
In another development, the Corps Marshal has decorated the newly appointed Deputy Corps Marshal representing the North East Geopolitical Zone, DCM Muhammed Kaigama Kabo. He also decorated the six other Assistant Corps Marshals that were also promoted in the just concluded 2023 exercise.
