At least four residents lost their lives on Monday after a heavy-duty truck rammed into a carnival procession in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, abruptly turning a cultural celebration into a scene of tragedy.
The fatal incident occurred during activities marking the annual Eggon Festival and Carnival, which was underway at the Eggon Community Secondary School.
What began as a colourful cultural procession quickly descended into chaos as trucks moving along the route lost control and ploughed into the crowd.
Moreover, emergency officials confirmed that seven other participants sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash, which involved three trucks.
Victims were mostly festival attendees who had gathered along the road to watch the procession.
Confirming the development, the Nasarawa State Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Yahaya Sabo, said preliminary findings pointed to dangerous driving.
He noted that excessive speed and poor judgment in a crowded environment contributed to the accident.
“This was a preventable crash,” Sabo said. “Drivers have a responsibility to adjust their speed and behaviour, especially in areas where large crowds are present.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish full accountability.”
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses described moments of panic as people scrambled for safety following the impact.
Several residents blamed the truck drivers for failing to slow down despite clear signs of an ongoing public event.
“One moment we were celebrating, the next moment people were screaming and running,” a witness said.
“There was no reason for trucks to be moving that fast near a carnival.”
Furthermore, authorities confirmed that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital.
Those injured are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Nasarawa Eggon.
In response to the tragedy, community leaders called for stricter traffic control during major festivals and public gatherings.
They stressed that improved coordination between security agencies and event organisers could prevent similar incidents in the future.
Hence, as investigations continue, residents of Nasarawa Eggon are left mourning lives lost at what was meant to be a unifying cultural celebration, once again raising concerns about road safety and enforcement during large-scale events in Nasarawa State.