…As one dies, two injured in a lone accident on Sagamu-Ikorodu Highway

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of four persons, including a child, in a lone crash on the Cham–Numan Road in the Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The Sector Commander of the FRSC, Samson Kaura, confirmed the accident in Gombe on Sunday.

Kaura said that 14 children that were in the bus sustained varying degrees of injuries while 20 other children escaped unhurt in the crash involving a Toyota Hummer on Sunday.

He said the corpses of those who died in the crash had been deposited at the Primary Health Care Centre, Cham.

The commander attributed the crash to loss of control as a result of speed.

“The crash happened around 2am in the night when a Toyota Hummer bus from Toro in Bauchi State to Adamawa State, carrying mostly children, lost control along Cham-Numan Road, resulting in the crash.

“The vehicle was moving above the recommended speed, and that resulted in loss of control and eventual crash.”

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“This is unfortunate because the bus was overloaded as the children were lapping one another, which increased the number of persons expected for such a vehicle,” he said.

He stated that the bus was carrying more than the expected passengers, stressing that the vehicle was conveying 41 persons, mostly children, as against 18.

He cautioned against night travels, adding that “though it is their constitutional right to travel anytime, but they must know that it is riskier travelling at night than during the day.

“Those who want to escape road enforcement officers and decide to travel at night must desist from those acts while doing the right thing and prioritising their safety and those of their passengers,” he said.

Kaura urged drivers to adhere to traffic rules and regulations, stressing that “life is more important than any economic or other benefit from driving.”

In another development, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency(TRACE) has confirmed the death of one person while two others sustained injuries in a lone road crash along Sagamu-Ikorodu Highway in Ogun.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, TRACE Public Relations Officer, said on Sunday in Abeokuta, that the road crash occurred at Arigbabu area of Mosimi in Sagamu Local Government of the state.

Akinbiyi stated that the accident occurred about 7:00a.m on Sunday, involving a white Mazda mini truck with no registration number.

He added that a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle allegedly lost control and rammed into a culvert, leading to his death on the spot.

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“The Mazda mini truck was heading towards Ikorodu when the accident occurred.”

“The driver died instantly, while two male passengers sustained injuries,” Akinbiyi said.

He said that the deceased’s remains had been taken away by his family members before the arrival of rescue teams, while the injured victims were also rescued and taken home by relatives.

He said that some personnel of the TRACE and the Federal  Road Safety Corps (FRSC) operatives were on the ground to control traffic and ensure the evacuation of the wrecked vehicle to Papa Oscar Cage at Sotubo in Sagamu.

Akinbiyi advised motorists to always rest well before heading for work, warning that “driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, confirmed the loss of six lives in a series of road traffic crashes on Kara Bridge, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

The FRSC Lagos Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Oluwadamilola Jayeola, in a statement on Thursday, said the crashes occurred between Oct. 29 and 30.

Jayeola noted that the incidents, which involved multiple vehicles at different times, also resulted in injuries and significant traffic disruption.

“The first crash took place on Oct. 29 around 20.00 hours and involved two white DAF trucks (Reg Nos. GGE 24 YJ and SBG 192 XB), with seven male passengers who did not sustain any death or injury.”

“The probable cause of the crash is speeding, which resulted in loss of control.”

“Also, the obstruction was promptly cleared by FRSC personnel in conjunction with Ojodu-Abiodun Police Division,’’ she said.

The officer, however, said that operatives responded promptly to all the crashes within minutes.

She added that operatives ensured quick rescue operations, removal of obstructions, and restoration of traffic flow.

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Jayeola said that the second crash happened on Oct. 29 at about 21.40 hours.

She said it involved two unidentified DAF trucks with six male passengers, of whom two sustained injuries, while four died.

She said that the Injured victims were evacuated: one taken to AZ Hospital, Magboro and the other to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre, Ojota.

The officer added that joint rescue operations were carried out by FRSC, the Nigeria Police, and the Lagos State Fire Service.

“The third crash happened at 22.15 hours involving a lone yellow truck (details yet to be confirmed); three male persons were involved, with one killed.”

“The probable cause of the crash is reckless overtaking and loss of control.

“The deceased was conveyed to a mortuary by an ambulance from the Lagos State Ministry of Health,” she said.

Jayeola said that the fourth crash happened on Thursday at 0520 hours, involving a tow truck (blue) and another truck (still submerged in the Isheri River at the time of report).

She said that five male passengers were involved; two were injured, while one or more were killed, pending retrieval operations from the Isheri River.

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“Recovery operations are ongoing as FRSC, the Nigeria Police, and Lagos State emergency services are working to remove the submerged truck and clear the scene for normal traffic flow,” she said.

She pointed out that the crashes within a short timeframe around Kara Bridge underscored the dangers of speeding.

The Sector Commander, Kehinde Hamzat, appealed to motorists, especially truck drivers and fleet operators, to obey all road traffic regulations.

Hamzat also cautioned motorists to avoid overspeeding, distractions while driving and night journeys.

He urged motorists to ensure vehicles were roadworthy and properly maintained.

“Always drive within speed limits and stay alert behind the wheel, “Hamzat said.

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A tragic boat accident on Saturday in Nafada town, Gombe State, has claimed the lives of five teenagers.

The victims were identified as Najib Ibrahim, 18; Hauwa’u Dogal, 15; Ummati Baraya, 16; Umaira Gidado, 16; and Amina Jaliya, 15.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State expressed deep sadness over the incident in a condolence message to the bereaved families.

The message was issued on Sunday in Gombe by his media aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli.

Yahaya described the incident as painful and heart-wrenching, especially given the tender ages of the victims and the grief caused to their families.

“This tragic incident has cut short the lives of promising young people,” the governor said, sympathising with their parents and the entire Nafada community.

He noted that the loss was not only a tragedy for the families but also for the entire state.

Yahaya prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

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He emphasised the need for strict adherence to water transport safety standards to prevent future mishaps.

The governor urged local councils, community leaders, boat operators, and regulators to enforce safety protocols across riverine areas.

He directed the State Emergency Management Agency and the Nafada Local Government Council to support the affected families.

Yahaya also instructed relevant agencies to strengthen safety awareness among riverine communities in the state.

“On behalf of the government and people of Gombe State, I extend our deepest sympathies,” he said.

He prayed that God forgive the victims’ shortcomings and grant them paradise.