By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
KOGI State Sector Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed death of 20 persons and 36 injured in three separate auto crashes within the last two weeks in the state.
Corps Commander Samuel Oyedeji, Kogi Sector Commander, of the Corps made the confirmation on Thursday in Lokoja.
He described the fatal auto crashes in the last two weeks as very worrisome and unfortunate in view of the fact that the Corps had put in so much efforts to reduce road crashes on highways.
Oyedeji noted that the most worrisome of the crashes was that of Sept. 3, which left 12 persons dead and six injured.
He said that the accident occurred when an 18 seater Toyota Hiace bus collided with a Howo Sono Truck on Obajana-Lokoja road.
“The dead victims were given mass burial at the Central Mosque, Obajana, while the injured were taken to First Nation Orthopedic Hospital, Zariagi, for medical attention.
“The property of the victims and the vehicle are in custody of Police (MTD) at Obajana Police Division.
“On Sept 10, we had a lone accident involving a Toyota Hiace bus, which left five persons dead and 15 injured at Zango, close to Chukwumerije Roundabout within Lokoja metropolis.
“Just on Sept. 13, three persons lost their lives again while 15 were injured at Omoko village on Abujai-Lokoja road where another Toyota Hiace bus lost control and crashed at around 10:30 a.m”, he said.
The FRSC Sector Commander said that joint rescue patrol teams of Abaji Zebra-16, and Zebra-13, Gegu, were at Wednesday’s accident scene and rescued the 15 injured victims.
According to him, the injured were rushed to General Hospital, Abaji and Ayaura Comprehensive Hospital, Abaji adding that the three corpses were deposited at Abaji General Hospital mortuary.
Oyedeji, who identified over speeding, overloading and poor vehicle maintenance culture among motorists as the major causes of accidents called for caution to stop the carnage and save the lives of innocent citizens.
He further advised motorists against night journeys as he urged them to ensure strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations, to avoid unnecessary road crashes and carnage on the highways.
