32 Killed in Ogun, Kwara, Kogi Road Crashes as FRSC Blames Speeding, Driver Fatigue

Road crashes in Ogun, Kwara and Kogi States have claimed no fewer than 32 lives, with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributing the tragedies to excessive speeding, driver fatigue, wrongful overtaking and other dangerous traffic violations.

Global Mirror News gathered that the separate accidents, which occurred between Sunday night and Monday morning, also left several persons injured, prompting renewed calls for motorists to comply with road safety regulations.

In Ogun State, 10 persons were killed while six others sustained injuries in a fatal collision involving a Sinotruk truck and a Toyota Hiace bus at Saapade Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday night.

The crash, which occurred around 8:05 p.m., involved 18 occupants comprising 15 adult males, two adult females and one male child.

The Ogun FRSC Sector Public Education Officer, Superintendent Route Commander Florence Afolabi Odunsi, said nine adult males and one male child died in the accident, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Two adult males escaped unhurt.

According to the FRSC, preliminary investigations revealed that the truck driver attempted to reverse on the highway after missing his route, while the speeding bus tried to manoeuvre through the narrow space available and rammed into the truck.

The injured victims were evacuated to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for treatment, while the deceased were deposited at the FOS Mortuary, Ipara.

Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, have taken custody of the crashed vehicles, while the accident scene has been cleared to restore free flow of traffic.

Reacting, the Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, commiserated with the families of the deceased and wished the injured quick recovery.

He warned motorists, particularly commercial drivers and truck operators, against reversing on highways, dangerous overtaking, excessive speeding and other traffic violations capable of causing avoidable deaths.

The Sector Commander stressed that motorists should always obey traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds and use designated turning points whenever they miss their routes.

Global Mirror News also discovered that in Kwara State, another tragic accident claimed 15 lives after a DAF XF trailer crashed along the Ogbomoso-Oko Olowo section of the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway at about 2:32 a.m. on Monday.

The accident occurred at the Muslim Cemetery area in Oko Olowo, Moro Local Government Area.

Kwara FRSC Sector Commander, Kabiru Kazeem, said the trailer, carrying 48 male occupants, was involved in a lone crash caused by driver fatigue.

According to him, 15 persons died instantly, 17 sustained fractures, dislocations and bruises, while 16 escaped unhurt.

The injured victims were taken to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital, while the corpses were released to their families through the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo.

Kazeem disclosed that rescue teams continued searching beneath the trailer’s load for possible trapped victims and announced plans to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on road safety.

He also advised motorists to avoid mixed loading of passengers and goods as well as night journeys, warning that both practices significantly increase the risk of fatal crashes.

Meanwhile, seven people lost their lives in Kogi State after a commercial Toyota Siena bus travelling from Auchi, Edo State, to Abuja rammed into a stationary heavy-duty truck undergoing repairs along the Okene-Osara-Lokoja Highway.

Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, Lawal Fagge, attributed the crash to excessive speeding, driver fatigue and a burst tyre.

He said six passengers aboard the bus and the truck’s motor boy died in the accident, while three other occupants sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Fagge urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, avoid speeding and remain vigilant, particularly around broken-down vehicles on highways.

He also noted that the Okene-Lokoja highway has continued to record fatal crashes over the years, calling for stricter compliance with traffic regulations.

The FRSC maintained that most of the crashes recorded across the three states were avoidable, urging all road users to obey traffic rules, avoid speeding and reckless driving, and prioritise safety to reduce the alarming rate of road accidents across the Country.