No fewer than 12 persons have died, while two others sustained injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred on Friday night along the Ejule–Enugu highway in Kogi State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident on Saturday, attributing the crash to overspeeding.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Tenimu Etuku, who spoke with journalists in Lokoja, described the incident as “fatal and very unfortunate,” noting that one of the victims was a child.
According to Etuku, the accident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. at Iboko community in Idah Local Government Area and involved an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Romchi Mass Transit.
He explained that the bus, which was travelling from Abuja to the eastern part of the country, crashed into a stationary articulated vehicle that had broken down on the highway.
“The ill-fated bus was travelling from Abuja to the eastern part of the country when it rammed into a parked, faulty articulated vehicle due to over-speeding,” Etuku said.
He added that FRSC personnel promptly carried out rescue operations, during which the injured victims were taken to Mercy of Jesus Hospital, Ejule, for treatment, while the corpses of the deceased were deposited in a morgue.
Etuku expressed sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives and warned motorists against dangerous driving habits, particularly during the festive season.
“In the yuletide, motorists must be careful and adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations to avoid such accidents and the wastage of precious lives. I believe this is one way to help the FRSC and the Federal Government reduce the alarming rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities in the country.
“I hereby urge drivers to exercise patience and maintain safe driving practices, especially during long-distance journeys this yuletide,” he advised.
The Ejule–Enugu road is a major federal highway linking parts of the North-Central and South-East regions of the country and is known to experience heavy traffic, especially during festive periods, a situation that often increases the risk of road accidents.
The FRSC has consistently cautioned road users to avoid excessive speed, reckless overtaking and driving while fatigued, stressing that such behaviours remain leading causes of fatal crashes on Nigerian highways.
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