16 Killed, Six Injured In Fatal Kogi Road Crash

No fewer than 16 persons have lost their lives in a tragic road accident that occurred at Aku village along the Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also confirmed that six other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash.

The Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Lawan Fagge, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to him, the accident happened around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday and involved a white commercial Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BUS 17 ZD.

Fagge explained that 22 persons were involved in the lone crash, comprising 21 male adults and one female adult.

He said 16 victims — 15 men and one woman — died on the spot, while the remaining six male passengers suffered injuries.

Preliminary investigations by the FRSC revealed that speeding and driver fatigue were responsible for the accident.

The sector commander stated that the vehicle was travelling from Jos to Lagos before the crash occurred.

He added that one of the injured victims was taken to the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja, while five others were receiving treatment at Osara Hospital.

Describing the incident as avoidable, Fagge warned motorists against night journeys without adequate rest, stressing that drivers should always stop to rest whenever they feel tired.

He also cautioned against excessive speeding and driving under stress, noting that both remained major causes of road accidents across the country.

The FRSC commander sympathised with the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a quick recovery.