The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 19 passengers were killed in an accident along the Lokoja-Obajana expressway on Sunday.
Olusegun Ogungbemide, the FRSC spokesperson, said in a statement issued on Monday that eight people sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Ogungbemide said the crash, which happened at about 6:10 pm, involved a Sino Truck and a Toyota Hiace bus conveying 27 passengers, comprising 22 adults and five children.
“The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has expressed profound sadness and commiserated with the families of victims of the tragic road crash that occurred in Gadabiu on the Obajana-Lokoja expressway lamenting the avoidable loss of lives,” the statement reads.
“In view of the imperatives of further reducing speed-related crashes on the nation’s highways, the corps marshal directed all sector commanders to intensify efforts by engaging in aggressive public education and raising the bar of ongoing enforcement on compulsory installation of speed limit devices in commercial vehicles.
“He emphasised that the corps will no longer tolerate reckless driving and will take drastic measures against speed violators.
“To prevent future tragedies, the corps marshal has further directed the deployment of enhanced enforcement strategies, including increased surveillance and patrols on high-risk routes.”
He noted that the incident was caused by speed violation and wrongful overtaking.
The FRSC spokesperson said the bodies of the deceased were taken to a mosque for burial in line with Islamic rites.
He urged all road users to prioritise safety and adhere to traffic regulations.
