Abuja-Kaduna Road Crash Claims 18 Lives – FRSC
- 27 persons injured, hospitalised for treatment
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the loss of 18 lives in an Abuja-Kaduna road traffic accident that occurred early on Sunday morning.
This is as the Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu has ordered Sector commanders to immediately set up a joint task force to conduct special patrol operations aimed at apprehending trailers and trucks that carry both humans and animals on the nation’s highways.
The joint task force will draw personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), and state governments.
A statement by the FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, said the development followed the death of 18 persons in a crash involving 65 persons which occurred at about 05:20 am on Sunday along the Abuja-Kaduna Road.
No fewer than 27 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the road crash that occurred at the Audu Jhangon village along the expressway on Sunday and the FRSC reports indicated that the injured were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Kazeem stated, “The crash occurred when a DAF trailer with registration number KUJ 430XC loaded with goods and humans lost control and fell into a ditch”, adding; “The latest incident is the sequel to an unfortunate auto crash that similarly claimed 18 lives in Niger State.
“Preliminary investigations into the two crashes and others revealed the following: the fatal crashes involved trailers carrying humans and animals, and the vehicles involved embarked on night journeys.”
The statement quoted the Corps Marshall as describing the tragic incident as ‘avoidable”, even as he also decried the nonchalant attitude of the drivers, noting that “the crashes could have been prevented if the drivers had taken adequate caution and obeyed simple traffic rules.”
“The Corps Marshal has directed sector commanders to immediately set up the joint task force that will impound and prosecute trailers and trucks carrying humans and animals.
“The Corps Marshal also directed that a mobile court should be set up for immediate prosecution of traffic offenders upon the immediate commencement of this operation”, the statement further said