By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that four people were killed and seven others injured in a Kogi road accident that occurred on Sunday along the Lokoja–Ajaokuta highway in Kogi State.
The fatal crash involved an 18-seater Toyota commercial bus and happened at Jimgbe community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area. The bus was traveling from Enugu to Abuja when the incident occurred in the early hours of the day.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Tenimu Etuku, told journalists in Lokoja that the accident resulted in multiple casualties. He said four occupants of the vehicle died on the spot, while seven others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to Etuku, FRSC personnel were promptly mobilized to the scene following a distress call. The injured victims were rescued and transported to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
He added that the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital for preservation and identification by their families.
Providing further details on the cause of the crash, the sector commander explained that the commercial bus, bearing Abuja registration number ABC 232 XA, was involved in a collision after the driver attempted to avoid a head-on crash with an oncoming truck.
“In the process of trying to evade the oncoming vehicle, the driver rammed into a faulty stationary truck parked along the road,” Etuku said.
He described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, noting that improper parking of broken-down vehicles on highways continues to pose a serious risk to road users across the state.
The FRSC commander stressed that road conditions that appear clear to drivers may still be dangerous, urging motorists to remain vigilant at all times.
“There is a difference between a free motoring environment and a safe motoring environment,” Etuku cautioned. “Drivers must always be alert and anticipate unexpected obstacles, especially on major highways.”
He further advised motorists to observe speed limits, maintain safe following distances, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long journeys. Etuku also urged drivers to reduce speed when approaching communities and areas with limited visibility.
The FRSC reiterated its commitment to improving road safety through regular patrols, public enlightenment campaigns, and collaboration with other stakeholders to reduce the incidence of road traffic crashes in Kogi State.
Sunday’s Kogi road accident adds to growing concerns over highway safety in the state, particularly along busy corridors such as the Lokoja–Ajaokuta road, which serves as a major link between northern and southern Nigeria.
Authorities have continued to call on motorists and transport operators to adhere strictly to traffic regulations in order to prevent further loss of lives on Nigerian roads.
