No fewer than 15 people have been killed and 17 others injured in a lone road crash involving an articulated truck along the Ilorin–Jebba Expressway in Kwara State.
The accident occurred at about 2:32 a.m. on Monday near the Muslim Cemetery along the Ogbomoso–Oko Olowo axis, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The crash involved a DAF XF articulated truck with registration number GWL 274 XC, which was conveying 48 male passengers alongside its cargo. The truck reportedly veered off the road and overturned, trapping several occupants beneath the vehicle and its load.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabir Kazeem, attributed the crash to driver fatigue.
He disclosed that of the 48 occupants, 15 died at the scene, 17 sustained varying degrees of injuries, while 16 escaped unhurt.
The injured victims, many of whom suffered fractures, dislocations and other serious injuries, were rescued by emergency personnel from the FRSC’s RS8.15 Oloru Unit Command and RS8.1 Oko Olowo Outpost and taken to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital in Ilorin for treatment.
Kazeem said the remains of those who lost their lives had been released to their families through the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo in Moro Local Government Area.
Reacting to the tragedy, the FRSC commander warned motorists against unsafe transport practices, particularly the use of cargo trucks to convey passengers.
He also cautioned drivers against travelling at night or operating vehicles while fatigued, noting that such practices significantly increase the risk of fatal crashes.
“The command will intensify public enlightenment through town hall meetings and stakeholder engagements to discourage dangerous practices such as mixed loading and fatigued driving,” he said.
Emergency responders were said to have continued search and recovery operations at the scene to ensure no victims remained trapped beneath the overturned truck.