By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has established a committee to investigate the cause of the tragic auto crash on Monday, which claimed the lives of six students along the Felele–Abuja highway in Lokoja.
In his address, the Governor expressed his deepest condolences to the management, staff, and students of the university, describing the incident as “dreadful and horrific.” He emphasized that the state government is committed to ensuring the safety of the students and preventing future accidents.
Represented by Deputy Governor Joel Oyibo, Governor Ododo revealed that the situation has already been brought to the attention of the Honorable Minister of Works, who is expected to visit the state soon to assess the situation firsthand and implement measures to prevent similar incidents.
Government’s Commitment to Road Safety
The Governor assured the students that the state government is fully committed to their safety, adding that he shares in their grief following the loss of the students.
He commended the students for their composed response during this challenging time and instructed the Kogi Road Maintenance Agency (KRM) to evaluate the Felele road, with plans to construct pedestrian bridges. Additionally, he directed the State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to set up checkpoints and deploy officers to regulate vehicle speeds on the highway.
University and Student Leadership Responses
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, expressed gratitude for the state government’s support and urged the Governor to take additional steps to prevent such tragedies. He specifically requested the construction of the Agbaja-Felele road for student use and the provision of more buses for safe transportation.
The Student Union President, Comrade Benjamin Olorunfemi Timothy, expressed deep sadness over the recurring accidents that have claimed students’ lives and properties. He called for stringent safety measures, including the construction of pedestrian facilities along the Felele Road, and urged the police to focus on student protection rather than harassment.
Timothy also acknowledged the state government’s swift response to the tragedy, particularly the Governor’s timely decision to halt daytime truck movements within the state.
Committee Details
The committee tasked with investigating the accident and ensuring future safety will be chaired by Deputy Governor Joel Oyibo. Other members include the Security Adviser to the Governor, Commissioners for Youth and Sports, Education, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, and the Student Union President. Additionally, representatives from the Lokoja Sector Command of the FRSC, SSAs on Youth and Students Affairs, Youth and Women Mobilization, and the Lokoja Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers will be part of the committee.
