,,,,,Ex-Speaker Calls For Swift Government Action.
By Correspondent in Lokoja.
The only survivor of the accident recuperating in one of the hospitals in Lokoja.
The picture forwarded to our correspondent on Tuesday is attached with this statement.
“Grace spoke for this young man.Only one who survived.God will grant you quick recovery.”
Four students of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) and three others tragically lost their lives on Monday in a road accident involving an articulated vehicle on the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Highway, specifically at the Felele axis in Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.
According to the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi, CC Samuel Oyedeji, the incident occurred around 3:40 p.m. when a timber-laden truck suffered brake failure.
The truck,he added ,swerved into the opposite lane and collided with a shuttle bus carrying FUL students.
Oyedeji explained that the truck, which was en route from southern Nigeria to Abuja, veered off its path due to the brake failure, leading to the fatal crash.
The accident caused a major traffic gridlock on the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja road, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded for hours.
Our correspondent gathered that the only survivor of the accident is now in critical condition in one of the hospitals in Lokoja.
The Felele High is noted for terrible tragic road accident for years now,a development that made the federal government to construct pump on the facility to reduce such tragedy.
Four years ago,the road witnessed another an articulated road accident during which 22 persons, including some students of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja,lost their lives.
In response to the tragic incident , the immediate past Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Prince Mathew Kolawole, has called for swift government action.
Prince Kolawole extended his condolences to the victims’ families and urged both the federal and state governments to tackle the frequent accidents on this hazardous stretch of road.
He stressed the urgent need for stricter traffic regulations and enhanced safety measures to protect students attending nearby institutions such as Kogi State Polytechnic and Federal University Lokoja.
“It is with profound sadness that I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in the devastating trailer accident in Felele,” he said.
The accident has reignited concerns over the high number of trailer-related crashes on Nigerian highways. Kolawole attributed the problem to poor road design, inadequate traffic management, and reckless driving.
“This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for heightened caution and adherence to safety standards on our highways,” he emphasized. “I strongly advise against reckless driving and urge drivers, operators, and all road users to strictly follow traffic and safety regulations to prevent unnecessary loss of lives.”
His remarks reflect widespread frustration among Nigerians regarding the government’s handling of road safety. Many have called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved road infrastructure, and increased driver education.
As families and students grieve the loss of young lives, Kolawole insists that authorities must take concrete steps to prevent further tragedies. He urged the government to prioritize effective road safety measures, including better signage, stricter speed regulations, and enhanced monitoring of heavy-duty vehicles on accident-prone routes.
“The safety of road users must be a top priority. We cannot continue to lose innocent lives due to preventable accidents,” he said.
The Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, CHRCR Lokoja, Idris miliki Abdul,in a statement he signed and made available a copy to The Reporters,described the accident as “one death too many”.
He recalled the last one year or so, people had lost their lives innocently and in avoidable occurrences.
He noted that the Felele hosts Federal University, the state Polytechnic, an International market, adding that it’s federal highway, has made the area vulnerable to high vehicular movement and human traffic.”
The human rights activist called on the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Works, the State Government, Federal Road safety Corps, the Nigeria police and other relevant stakes holders to put heads together urgently and do something urgently to stop all these constant losses of life and property along felele road.
He extended his condolences to those who lost their loved ones.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
