A devastating accident on the Lokoja-Obajana highway in Kogi State has claimed the lives of 19 people, with five of the victims confirmed to be children.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) disclosed that eight other individuals sustained various degrees of injuries in the crash, which occurred on Sunday afternoon.
Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kumar Tsukwam, who briefed reporters in Lokoja on Monday, said the accident happened around 4 p.m. in the Gadabiu area of Lokoja Local Government Area.
According to Tsukwam, the fatal collision involved a Toyota Hummer bus travelling from the southern part of the country towards Abuja and an articulated truck.
The Hummer bus, reportedly speeding, attempted to overtake another truck but crashed head-on into an oncoming articulated vehicle.
“The impact was severe. Unfortunately, it was a case of excessive speeding and dangerous overtaking. Nineteen persons, including five children, were burnt beyond recognition,” he said.
He added that 27 people were involved in total, with only eight surviving the crash. Some of the survivors suffered burns, fractures, cuts, and dislocations.
Emergency responders from the FRSC and the police swiftly moved in to rescue the injured victims, who were rushed to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for urgent medical care.
Commander Tsukwam urged drivers to exercise caution on the highways and avoid risky maneuvers such as speeding and overtaking without clear visibility.
He stressed that road safety rules are vital to preventing such tragic incidents.
“Our roads are not racetracks. Motorists must adhere to speed limits and follow traffic regulations to help reduce the alarming rate of accidents,” he warned.