At least 25b bus passengers have died, and 17 others sustained serious injuries after a devastating auto crash involving a trailer occurred in Kwara State.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the crash involved 48 male occupants, with 15 victims losing their lives instantly.
17 others suffered varying degrees of injuries, including fractures, dislocations and bruises, while another 16 passengers escaped the accident without injuries.
The accident occurred at about 2:32 a.m. on Monday along the Ogbomoso-Oloru Highway near the Muslim Cemetery at Oko-Olowo in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.
- The lone crash involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC, driven by Nasiru Muhammed.
Preliminary findings by the FRSC attributed the tragedy to driver fatigue, which officials identified as the likely cause of the crash.
According to the Kwara State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabiru Kazeem, emergency responders were said to have reached the scene within five minutes after receiving a distress alert.
Upon arrival at the scene, the injured victims were promptly evacuated to medical facilities for treatment.
Meanwhile, the remains of those who died were released to their families and community leaders for burial.
In a statement released in Ilorin, on behalf of the sector commander, spokesperson Taofeek Sanusi said personnel from the FRSC Oloru Unit Command and the Oko-Olowo outpost jointly carried out the rescue operation.
“Our personnel responded swiftly after receiving the distress call and worked with other emergency responders to rescue victims and recover casualties from the scene,” he said.
Kazeem expressed concern over the recurring dangers associated with fatigue-related driving and urged motorists to prioritise safety on the roads.
“Driver fatigue remains one of the major causes of fatal road crashes.
“Motorists should avoid night journeys when tired and desist from mixed loading of passengers and goods,” he said.
He added that the command would intensify public awareness campaigns through town hall meetings and engagements with transport operators and other stakeholders to reduce road accidents across the state.
As of the time of filing this report, rescue teams have continued efforts to locate additional victims believed to have been trapped beneath the trailer’s load.