FRSC Blames Fatigue, Speeding As 9 Die, 2 Injured In Abuja-Lokoja Crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has attributed a Tuesday morning accident that killed nine people and injured two others to fatigue and violation of speed limits.

The crash occurred at about 5:37 a.m. at Piri village when a Howo truck with registration number FKY 922 XB reportedly lost control and plunged into a ditch.

The truck, which was loaded with ceramic tiles, was travelling from Ajaokuta, Kogi State, to Kano when the accident occurred.

A witness, Samson Yakubu, told journalists that the 11 victims were sitting on top of the ceramic tiles when the truck veered off the road.

He said nine of the victims were trapped beneath the load and died, while the remaining two were rescued by FRSC officials and taken to the General Hospital, Kwali, for treatment.

According to him, some villagers joined the rescue team in removing the ceramic tiles to enable officials to reach the trapped victims.

An FRSC official attached to the Yangoji Unit Command, who participated in the rescue operation, confirmed the incident and said all nine deceased victims were male.

The official added that the bodies had been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Kwali, while the two injured survivors were receiving medical attention.

The FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Tijjani Iliyasu, also confirmed the crash but said he was awaiting a detailed report from the Yangoji Unit Command.

Iliyasu expressed concern over the practice of transporting passengers on top of goods loaded onto trucks and trailers, warning that it exposed them to serious danger, particularly during long-distance journeys.

He said the corps had repeatedly sensitised drivers of heavy-duty vehicles to the dangers of transporting passengers alongside cargo and had sanctioned operators found violating relevant regulations.

The sector commander also disclosed that the construction company handling the dualisation of a section of the Abuja-Lokoja highway had been booked for allegedly failing to provide adequate traffic warning signs around the construction corridor.

The incident has raised further concerns about the safety of motorists and other road users navigating highway construction zones, particularly where warning signs and traffic management measures are inadequate.

The crash also highlights the dangers of transporting passengers on top of cargo, where they risk being crushed by shifting loads or trapped beneath goods in the event of an accident.

The FRSC has consistently warned motorists against excessive speed, fatigue and other dangerous driving practices, urging drivers and vehicle operators to comply with road safety regulations to prevent avoidable deaths.