A tragic road accident along the Lokoja–Okene Highway in Kogi State has claimed the lives of 16 passengers, while six others sustained injuries.
The fatal incident reportedly happened on Friday May 8 at about 9:20 a.m near Aku village, close to the Osara axis of the busy federal highway.
Sources said the victims were travelling in an 18-seater Toyota Hiace commercial bus from Jos, Plateau State, to Lagos when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle.
The bus reportedly veered off the highway and plunged beneath a bridge. Eyewitnesses described the accident scene as horrifying.
Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kogi State Command, were said to have arrived at the scene shortly after receiving distress calls from motorists and other road users.
Rescue officials battled to evacuate victims from the mangled vehicle while ensuring the free flow of traffic along the highway.
Authorities confirmed that 16 passengers, comprising 15 men and one woman, died in the crash, while six others survived with varying injuries. The injured victims were rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at a mortuary pending identification by relatives.
An emergency official at the scene attributed the crash to excessive speeding and possible driver fatigue.
Following Friday’s tragedy, road safety authorities renewed calls on commercial drivers and other road users to obey traffic regulations and avoid dangerous driving habits.
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