A devastating road traffic crash on the Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi State has claimed the lives of 19 people, with one person injured and two others rescued without injuries.
The fatal crash, which occurred on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Okene bypass, involved a Dangote Truck and a Toyota Hiace Bus. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the crash was caused by route violation and wrongful overtaking, which resulted in a fire inferno that engulfed the two vehicles.
FRSC emergency rescue teams deployed to the scene faced a challenging rescue operation due to the intense fire, which lasted over three hours. Despite their efforts, 19 lives were lost in the crash, with the corpses deposited at Okene General Hospital.
The Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, has reiterated the need for maximum penalty for drivers who cause road traffic crashes through their actions. He called on the Judiciary, transport unions, and other stakeholders to join hands with the FRSC to restore sanity on the roads through speedy and effective prosecution.
The crash investigation report revealed that the Dangote Truck driver, who drove from Port Harcourt, wrongfully overtook a vehicle and collided head-on with the Toyota Hiace Bus, which was loaded from Kano. The impact resulted in a fire inferno that burnt the victims to death.
The FRSC has emphasized the importance of traffic regulations, including the compulsory use of seatbelts, which saved the lives of the two rescued victims. The Corps has also renewed its commitment to prosecuting drivers who cause road traffic crashes in Nigeria.
