In a devastating road accident in Kogi State, 13 persons have lost their lives, and two others sustained injuries, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed on Monday.
The fatal incident, involving a collision between a commercial bus and a cement truck, occurred near Obajana Market along the Obajana-Lokoja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of the State around 7:30pm on Sunday night.
Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Samuel Oyedeji, detailed the tragic sequence of events to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). According to Oyedeji, a Sharon commercial bus was parked behind another truck near the market area, allowing passengers to shop when the cement truck, having suffered brake failure, crashed into the stationary bus from behind. The impact was catastrophic, causing an immediate inferno that engulfed the bus, claiming the lives of nearly all passengers on board.
“The unfortunate incident led to the immediate ignition of a fire that consumed the bus, two trucks, and a motorcycle,” Oyedeji recounted.
He further revealed that the bus was on its way to Abuja from the southern part of the country at the time of the accident.
Despite the swift response from FRSC personnel, alongside the Red Cross Nigeria and police officers, the intensity of the fire hindered rescue efforts.
“Our personnel…couldn’t save the situation due to the fierceness of the fire,” Oyedeji lamented. The charred remains of the deceased were retrieved from the scene, and the injured were rushed to Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, for immediate medical care.
The sector commander expressed concerns over the refusal of hospitals in Kogi State to accommodate the remains of the deceased, indicating that a mass burial might be unavoidable unless relatives of the victims come forward.
Describing the incident as “very sad and unfortunate,” Oyedeji emphasised the need for road safety, urging motorists to adhere to speed limits and ensure proper vehicle maintenance.
“Motorists should always check their vehicles to ensure everything is in order before embarking on a journey to avoid road crashes,” he advised.