Twelve persons died while three others sustained injuries in a multiple-vehicle crash along the Yangoji–Abaji corridor in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the incident in a statement signed by the FCT Command’s Public Education Officer, Helen Ntaji.
According to the statement, the crash occurred around 11:45am at Gada Biyu, with emergency responders arriving at the scene within seven minutes of receiving distress calls.
The FRSC said four vehicles were involved in the accident: a Volkswagen Golf (GWA 162 KZ), a Ford Sharon Bus (AFN 325 YL), another Volkswagen Golf (ABJ 111 NW), and a Volvo trailer (ANC 665 XA).
Preliminary investigation revealed that speed limit violation and loss of control led to the chain collision.
Eyewitnesses told FRSC officials that the trailer, laden with coal and belonging to African Natural Resources and Miles Limited from Gujeni in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, lost control and rammed into an illegal roadside motor park.
The FRSC disclosed that 18 persons were involved in the crash, comprising eight adult males, four adult females, two male children, and four female children.
While 12 persons died and three sustained injuries, three others escaped unhurt.
The injured victims, according to the statement, were rushed to Abaji General Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were released to their families for burial.
The FCT Sector Commander, Corps Commander Felix Theman, commiserated with the affected families and warned commercial drivers against creating unauthorized loading points along expressways.
He said the Motor Traffic Division of the Nigerian Police in Kwali had commenced investigation into the crash.