Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Kogi State, Nigeria — *Tragedy struck one of Nigeria’s busiest inter-regional corridors late Friday night as a devastating road traffic collision claimed the lives of 12 people and left two others injured along the Ejule–Enugu highway. The incident has prompted renewed warnings from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) urging motorists to adopt safer driving behaviour, especially during the peak festive travel period.
According to the FRSC’s Kogi State Sector Commander, Mr. Tenimu Etuku, the fatal collision occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the Iboko community of Idah Local Government Area, a stretch of the highway that connects the North-Central region with the South-East. An 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus, operated by Romchi Mass Transit and believed to have been travelling from Abuja to eastern Nigeria, struck a stationary articulated vehicle that had reportedly broken down on the roadside. Etuku described the crash as “fatal and very unfortunate,” adding that one of the victims was a child.
Emergency responders from the FRSC were dispatched swiftly following alerts about the collision. Rescue operations saw the two injured passengers taken to Mercy of Jesus Hospital, Ejule, where they are said to be receiving medical care. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased were retrieved from the scene and deposited in the local morgue pending identification and burial arrangements by their families.
In his briefing to journalists in Lokoja, Etuku attributed the likely cause of the crash to over-speeding, a factor that has repeatedly been implicated in many of the nation’s most tragic road accidents. He noted that the bus seemed to have failed to react in time to the presence of the broken-down articulated vehicle, leading to the high-impact collision that extinguished so many lives in an instant.
“This particular period of the year sees increased vehicular movement on major highways as travellers journey to and from their destinations for the yuletide celebrations,” Etuku said. “Unfortunately, excessive speed and reckless overtaking remain major contributors to fatal crashes. We must do more to save precious lives.”
The FRSC has long maintained that human error, including speed violation, fatigue, wrongful overtaking and disregard for traffic laws, are among the leading causes of road traffic crashes in Nigeria. The Ejule–Enugu highway, like many arterial routes across the country, experiences heightened traffic volumes during festive seasons, increasing the risk of collisions when drivers fail to adjust their behaviour.
In response to the tragedy, Etuku issued a stern warning to motorists, emphasising the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations and safe driving practices. “At this yuletide, motorists must exercise patience, maintain safe speeds, and observe all safety protocols,” he urged. “These actions are essential not only to assist the FRSC in reducing road carnage but also to protect families and communities from unnecessary grief.”
The FRSC’s call to action comes amidst a broader context of road safety concerns across Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole. In recent months, the corps has collaborated with local government authorities and other stakeholders to implement strategies aimed at reducing the frequency and severity of road accidents. These efforts have included intensified patrols, public awareness campaigns, and targeted enforcement of traffic laws on high-risk highways.
Kogi State’s strategic position at the crossroads of several key federal highways makes it a significant transit hub for long-distance travel. This positioning, while economically vital, also brings with it heightened exposure to road traffic hazards. Previous incidents recorded in the state have echoed similar patterns, with overspeeding and driver fatigue often cited as the predominant causes.
Road safety advocates have reiterated that the tragic loss of life on Nigerian highways is often preventable. They call for a multi-pronged approach that includes not only stricter enforcement of speed limits and driver behaviour regulations but also investments in road infrastructure, vehicle maintenance checks, and motorist education programmes. Such measures, they argue, are vital to addressing the systemic issues that lead to recurring accidents.
In the wake of the Kogi–Enugu highway crash, local communities have expressed profound sorrow and shock at the scale of the loss. Families of victims are now faced with the daunting tasks of funeral arrangements amid the emotional strain of sudden bereavement. Civic leaders and transport unions in the region have joined calls for enhanced safety measures, particularly as more people are expected to take to the roads in the coming days.
The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the persistent dangers that road users face on Nigeria’s highways. As authorities continue to investigate the specific circumstances surrounding the Ejule–Enugu crash, the broader imperative remains clear: urgent and sustained action is needed to curb the high incidence of road traffic fatalities. Observers have stressed the importance of both government leadership and individual responsibility in cultivating a culture of safety that extends beyond festive periods.
With the ongoing festive season drawing families and travellers across long distances, the FRSC’s appeal for caution resonates as a critical and timely message. In urging motorists to resist the pressures of time and to prioritise safety over speed, the corps hopes to prevent further loss of life on Nigeria’s highways and to foster an environment where journeys reach their destinations without tragedy.
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