10 killed in Kogi road crash

A road crash on the Obajana–Lokoja highway late Friday night claimed the lives of 10 people and left 11 others injured, according to officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The accident, which occurred around 11:30 p.m. on October 10 near Apamaru, involved a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number KTG 100YL.

The vehicle was carrying 21 male passengers when it reportedly lost control due to excessive speeding and wrongful overtaking.

Preliminary investigations by FRSC officers confirmed that the driver was attempting to overtake another vehicle when he lost control, leading to the fatal crash.

According to a statement signed by the corps spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide on Saturday, “All 10 victims died on the spot, while 11 others sustained serious injuries, including deep cuts, fractures, and bruises.”

The injured passengers were rushed to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for treatment. The deceased have been handed over to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, coordinated through the Sarikin Hausawa, Obajana.

In the wake of the tragedy, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, expressed deep sorrow and issued a strong call for increased passenger vigilance, especially during night journeys.

The corps marshal therefore called on commercial vehicle operators to adhere strictly to road safety regulations, emphasising that the corps will intensify its enforcement on overloading and advocacy to discourage night journey across critical corridors in Nigeria.

“He further implores passengers to speak out and caution drivers whose actions endanger lives, noting that silence in the face of recklessness is complicity in tragedy,” the statement noted.

He reiterated the dangers associated with night travel and urged commercial drivers to strictly adhere to safety regulations.

The statement further noted that Mohammed also revealed that the FRSC would intensify enforcement of overloading restrictions and step up advocacy campaigns against night travel, particularly along high-risk corridors.

The FRSC urged all road users to treat safety as a collective responsibility.

Members of the public were encouraged to report reckless driving by calling the Corps’ toll-free number 122 or by alerting the nearest patrol unit or security personnel.

The FRSC had reported a continued rise in road crashes across Nigeria. Between January and June 2025, the agency recorded 5,281 crashes involving 39,793 individuals, resulting in 2,838 deaths and 17,818 rescues.