By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Seven people have died and three others sustained injuries in a road crash along the Okene–Osara–Lokoja Highway in Kogi State, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).The crash occurred when a commercial Siena bus travelling from Auchi, Edo State, to Abuja collided with a stationary heavy-duty truck undergoing repairs in Osara.
Speaking to journalists in Lokoja on Monday, Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, Lawal Fagge, said the bus was carrying passengers bound for Abuja and other destinations, including Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory.Fagge attributed the crash to excessive speeding, driver fatigue and a tyre burst.
According to him, six passengers in the Siena bus died at the scene, while the motor boy of the parked truck also lost his life. Three other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.He said the deceased had been deposited at a morgue, while FRSC rescue personnel evacuated the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment.”
Our rescue team responded immediately and transported the injured victims to a hospital for medical attention,” Fagge said.The sector commander urged motorists to avoid excessive speeding, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, remain alert while driving and exercise caution around broken-down or stationary vehicles.The latest crash has renewed concerns over road safety on the busy Okene–Lokoja corridor, a major highway linking southern and northern Nigeria.
