The Federal Road Safety Corps has mourned the victims of crashes in Kogi, Ogun and Kwara States between Sunday and Monday, while calling on road users to engage in responsible driving.
The Corps in a statement by its
Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, condoled with the deceased families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those currently receiving medical treatment.
” The first crash occurred at about 1230HRS on Sunday, 5 July 2026, along the Okene–Lokoja Road before Confluence University, Osara, Kogi State. The crash involved a MAN truck and a Toyota Sienna commercial bus, with 10 persons involved. Seven persons (6 male adults and 1 female adult) lost their lives, while three male adults sustained injuries and were rescued to Abobo General Hospital. Preliminary investigation identified tyre burst as the cause of the fatal crash.
“Barely hours later, at about 2005HRS, another devastating crash occurred at Sapade Bridge on the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway in Ogun State. The crash, involving a SINOTRUK truck and a Toyota Hiace bus, had 18 persons involved. 10 persons (9 male adults and 1 male child) died, six persons (4 male adults and 2 female adults) sustained injuries and were rescued to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while two male adults came out unhurt. Preliminary findings revealed that speeding, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving were responsible for the crash after the truck created a hazardous situation on the highway.
” In the early hours of Monday, 6 July 2026, tragedy struck again at Oko-Olowo along the Ogbomosho–Oloru Road in Kwara State when a DAF trailer conveying passengers and goods crashed. The lone crash involved 48 male adults, leaving 15 persons dead, 17 injured and 16 rescued unhurt.”
The Corps noted that the incident could have been avoided, stressing that matters were made worse due to mix loading.
“While investigation points to driver fatigue as the immediate cause of the crash, the alarming death toll was worsened by the illegal and dangerous practice of mixed loading, where passengers were transported alongside goods, ” the statement said.
Reacting to the unfortunate incidents, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the crashes as heartbreaking and entirely preventable. He stressed that the recurring violations of established traffic regulations; particularly speeding, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, poor tyre maintenance, driver fatigue and mixed loading, continue to undermine national efforts to improve road safety.
The Corps Marshal therefore called on all motorists, transport companies and commercial vehicle operators to place the highest premium on safety by ensuring that only roadworthy vehicles are put on the highway, tyres are routinely inspected and replaced when necessary, speed limits are obeyed, adequate rest is taken before embarking on journeys, and under no circumstances should passengers be transported together with goods.
He warned that the Corps will sustain aggressive enforcement against all traffic violations that endanger lives.
While assuring the public of the Corps’ commitment to safer roads through sustained enforcement, strategic public education and prompt emergency response, the Corps Marshal urged every road user to recognise that road safety is a shared responsibility.
