A motor accident involving a truck and an 18-passenger bus along the Jebba-Ilorin Expressway in Kwara State on Tuesday resulted in the loss of 11 lives.
LEADERSHIP gathered that seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries from the accident, which occurred around 4:50 am.
The accident happened when the passenger bus, originating from Gombe, attempted to overtake another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with a truck travelling in the opposite direction on the road.
Sources confirmed to LEADERSHIP that those injured in the crash have been taken to Ife Oluwa Hospital in Bode-Saadu, the headquarters of Moro local government area in the state, for medical treatment.
Basambo Busari, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Kwara State Command, confirmed the incident and the casualty figures in a statement on Tuesday.
He stated, “On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, a fatal road traffic crash involving two vehicles, a DAF Truck, and a Toyota Hiace Bus occurred at Aiyere along the Bode-Saadu-Ilorin route. The crash happened around 4:50 am due to wrongful overtaking and speed violation.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the Toyota Hiace bus, travelling from Gombe to Lagos, wrongfully overtake another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with an oncoming DAF Truck.
“A total of 18 people were involved, tragically resulting in 11 fatalities, while the remaining 7 individuals sustained varying degrees of injury. They have been rescued and taken to Ifeoluwa Hospital Bode-Saadu, where they are currently undergoing treatment.”