A devastating road crash along the Lokoja–Obajana highway claimed the lives of 19 individuals, including five children, on Sunday afternoon, leaving eight others with serious injuries.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Kogi State, Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed the incident during a press briefing on Monday in Lokoja. He described the accident as “tragic and avoidable,” attributing it to excessive speed and reckless overtaking.
The crash occurred around 4 p.m. in the Gadabiu area of Lokoja Local Government Area and involved a Toyota bus en route to Abuja and an oncoming articulated truck.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus driver attempted to overtake another vehicle at high speed before slamming head-on into the truck.
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“It was a very unfortunate crash caused by speeding and wrongful overtaking,” Tsukwam stated. “A total of 27 persons were involved—19 died on the spot while eight sustained various degrees of injuries including fractures, dislocations, bruises, and fire burns.”
Emergency services, including the FRSC and other first responders, swiftly arrived at the scene to evacuate the victims.
The injured have been transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a local morgue.
Authorities have reiterated calls for motorists to exercise caution, particularly on highways known for heavy traffic and high-speed movement.