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By Correspondent in Lokoja.
(C) Phoenix.
Grief and anguish swept across Kogi State on Friday after a devastating road accident along the Lokoja–Okene Highway claimed the lives of 16 passengers, leaving families shattered and survivors battling for their lives.
Our correspondent gathered that the tragic incident occurred around 9:20 a.m. near Aku village, close to the Osara axis of the ever-busy federal highway, when an 18-seater Toyota Hiace commercial bus travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Lagos reportedly lost control, veered off the road and plunged beneath a bridge.
Witnesses and emergency responders described a horrifying scene as the vehicle was badly mangled from the impact, trapping victims inside the wreckage.
Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kogi State Command, swiftly mobilised to the scene following distress calls from motorists and other road users. Rescue teams battled desperately to save lives, pulling victims from the twisted remains of the bus while trying to restore traffic flow on the highway.
Authorities confirmed that 16 passengers,15 men and one woman, lost their lives in the crash, while six others survived with varying degrees of injuries.
The injured victims were rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja for emergency treatment, as anxious sympathisers gathered in tears.
Bodies of the deceased were later deposited at a mortuary in Lokoja pending identification and further arrangements.
Although investigations into the exact cause of the accident are ongoing, preliminary findings by emergency officials pointed to excessive speeding and possible driver fatigue.
According to sources, the driver may have lost control while navigating a dangerous section of the highway, turning what should have been an ordinary journey into a heartbreaking tragedy.
The Lokoja–Okene Highway has repeatedly been described as one of Nigeria’s most dangerous roads, due to frequent fatal accidents linked to speeding, reckless driving, poor road conditions, and exhaustion among long-distance drivers.
Friday’s tragedy once again revived concerns over road safety on the route, with many Nigerians lamenting the continuous loss of lives on the highway.
Road safety authorities have renewed calls on motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits, avoid reckless driving, and take adequate rest during long-distance trips to prevent needless deaths.
As families mourn their loved ones, the tragedy stands as another painful reminder of the fragile nature of life and the urgent need for stricter safety measures on Nigeria’s highways.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
