At least 19 people, including five children, have been confirmed dead following a fatal auto crash that occurred on Sunday along the Lokoja–Obajana Road in Kogi State. The accident also left eight others injured.. Confirming the accident to journalists on Monday in Lokoja, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi State, Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, described the crash as tragic and preventable.. The collision happened at Gadabiu community in Lokoja Local Government Area around 4 p.m. and involved a Toyota bus heading to Abuja from the southern part of the country and an oncoming articulated truck.. According to Tsukwam, the driver of the bus, which was reportedly at high speed, attempted to overtake another vehicle when it collided head-on with the truck.. “It was a very unfortunate crash caused by speeding and wrongful overtaking,” he said. “A total of 27 persons were involved—19 died on the spot while eight sustained varying degrees of injuries including fractures, dislocations, bruises, and fire burns.”. Among the fatalities were five children who were burnt beyond recognition.. Emergency responders, including the FRSC and police personnel, were deployed to the scene and succeeded in evacuating the injured to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for urgent treatment.. Tsukwam used the occasion to reiterate the dangers of speeding and reckless driving. “The highways are not race tracks. We urge all road users to obey traffic regulations and drive responsibly. Lives are being lost needlessly due to impatience and carelessness behind the wheel.”. The FRSC has promised a full investigation into the incident while efforts are underway to identify the victims and contact their families.
