A total of 12 persons have been confirmed dead in a fatal road traffic crash involving three vehicles at Peke, along Olooru-Okoolowo, Ogbomoso Route, in Kwara.

Those involved in the accident included 21 males and one female, out of which 12 got burnt and sadly lost their lives, while the remaining 10 sustained various degrees of injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

The Kwara Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung, confirmed the unfortunate accident.

Dawulung said that the burnt corpses were given a mass burial by the authority of the Hausa Community of Okoolowo.

“On receiving the report of the crash, our operatives at Olooru Unit Command were immediately mobilised to the crash scene for rescue.

“Vehicles involved in the accident were a petrol Tanker, a Trailer, and an 18-seater Bus following a route violation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the empty IVECO Tanker coming from Okoolowo committed route violation en route Ogbomoso, which led to a head-on collision with the oncoming DAF Truck, which ignited the fire,” he said.

The sector commander said that the Bus which was on its way to Katsina was behind the DAF Truck, but due to the driver’s excessive speed, he couldn’t stop and rammed into the crash.

He deeply sympathized with the families of the dead and wished the injured a quick recovery.

Dawulung advised drivers to avoid taking the wrong lanes, driving at excessive speeds, on night journeys, and ensuring they maintain a safe distance between vehicles ahead, to enable them maneuver whenever the need arises.

He reiterated that investigation officers had commenced a full investigation into the crash, assuring that the command was committed to discharging its responsibilities in ensuring the safety of all road users.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said that nine bodies were recovered from a boat mishap that occurred in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

The Head of Relief and Rehabilitation in NSEMA, Alhaji Salihu Garba, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Sunday.

NAN recalls that ten persons were confirmed dead in a boat mishap that occurred on Thursday, November 16.

The victims, mostly traders, were reportedly conveying goods from the Zongoru Community of Bassa Ward to Gijiwa, ahead of Friday market in Kuta, headquarters of Shiroro LGA, when the tragic incident happened.

At least 34 persons were said to be on board of which 10 allegedly lost their lives, while 22 were reportedly rescued by local divers.

Garba gave the names of the deceased to include Farida Muntari, Sharhabila Sagir, Bubakar Sadiq, Na’ima Ibrahim, Amina, Safaratu Ibrahim, Sadiq Ibrahim and Rafiya Yakubu.

He said that the agency had yet to identify two of the deceased persons, adding that all the deceased were from Zangoro.

He further said that there were 24 male and female adults and 10 male and female children in the boat when it capsized.

Garba also said that a search operation was ongoing to recover the remaining bodies. 

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Sector Command, on Wednesday, said it arrested 417 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol in the state, between Jan. and Sept.2023

Mr Babatunde Farinloye, the State Sector Commander, said this during the flag-off of the corps’ “2023 Ember Months Campaign” in Badagry.

The theme of the campaign is: “Speed Thrills but Kills: Drive Responsibly and Avoid Overloading”.

Farinloye said driving under the influence of alcohol was one of the many offences recorded in the state on a regular basis.

*From Left: The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp, Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Farinloye, Mr Joseph Gbenu, the Chairman Badagry-West LCDA and Alhaji Akeem Sanmi, the Chairman NURTW, Seme Kweme branch during the flag off of Ember Months Campaign in Seme on Wednesday.

“We do record more than 1,000 contraventions monthly, and arrests have not deterred people

“That is why we have decided to bring in other measures such as education, sensitisation, and training, in order to address the problem and reduce road crashes,” he said.

Mr. Joseph Gbenu, the Chairman Badagry-West LCDA distributing flyers during the flag-off in Seme”

On the issue of containers falling from trucks, the sector commander said that he had deployed personnel to tank farms, terminals, and ports to check and certify vehicles before loading.

“They are there to ensure minimum safety standards, vehicle standards, driver’s standards, and operators standards, all standards must be there.

“Some of the vehicles that are falling are beyond road safety if you look at them well. The majority of them are of a particular vehicle brand.

“They are old vehicles in the fleet of haulage businesses and their owners have refused to upgrade or change them.

“Most of the vehicles falling are not from ports or terminals. Some of them are from unknown terminals. They are from terminals where we don’t have personnel that regulate them,” he said.

He urged road users to always ensure their vehicles are road-worthy before plying highways.

Mr William Manga, the Unit Commander, FRSC Badagry Unit Command, said it was his duty and responsibility to ensure the safety of road users, especially during the “ember months” with increased traffic and activities.

According to him, the theme of the 2023 Ember months campaign highlights two major factors that contribute to road crashes which are speeding and overloading.

“We have chosen this theme because we believe that raising awareness and promoting responsible driving habits can help reduce the number of road crashes during these ember months.

“Speeding continues to be a major cause of road crashes in our country. Many drivers, in an attempt to reach their destinations faster. disregard speed limits and put themselves and others at risk.

“We want to remind everyone that speed thrills for a moment, but it can kill instantly.

“It is important that we all obey speed limit regulations and drive at a safe and reasonable speed.

“Your life and the lives of others are more important than reaching your destination a few minutes earlier,” he said.

Manga said overloading was another major cause of crashes on the roads, urging motorists to follow the recommended weight limits for their vehicles and avoid overloading.

In his remarks, Mr Joseph Gbenu, the Chairman of Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) urged motorists to ensure safety, while plying roads in Lagos.

According to him, the campaign should not be limited to “ember months” alone.

“This should be done monthly to ensure road crashes are reduced to a minimal level in the country.

“I thank the Lagos Sector Commander and Badagry unit commander, for bringing the campaign to Seme, in my council,” he said.

Alhaji Adeyemo Arigbabuwo, Chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPAG) assured that they would collaborate with FRSC to ensure safety on Lagos roads.

Alhaji Akeem Sanmi, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Seme Kweme, said the union had maintained a ban on alcohol in all its parks in Badagry.

He commended FRSC for flagging off the campaign at Seme Motor Park.