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. 

The combined efforts of Security operatives on Friday evening averted an impending disaster in Kogi as a result of a fuel tanker accident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.

The sector commander said that the truck carrying fuel was heading to Abuja when the tank disconnected from the head and rolled into a ditch.
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“Nobody was hurt or killed in the accident. The tanker driver and his assistant escaped unhurt,” he said.

When the accident occurred, he said, the FRSC patrol team quickly rushed to the scene,  and invited the Police, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Mobile Police unit for security cover.

“The reason is to ensure that the community members do not gain access to the tanker and attempt to scoop the fuel to cause a fire outbreak. “

“We don’t want a repeat of what happened in Niger and Jigawa states, where several lives of people were lost to fire incidences while attempting to scoop fuel, ” he said.

According to him, some people attempted to scoop the fuel before the arrival of his personnel, but they were chased away.

Etuku said that the area has been properly cordoned off by security operatives and some leaders of the Crusher community.

“The community leaders and the security agencies have agreed to ensure that nobody is allowed to go into the ditch with the aim of scooping fuel. ”

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The commander appealed to members of the Crusher community to avoid any temptation to scoop the out pouring fuel to avoid any fire disaster that could bring about colossal loss of lives.