Tragic Incident: 19 Individuals Perish in Kogi Auto Collision

An unfortunate event unfolded on Sunday as a distressing auto crash occurred on the Okene-Lokoja Highway in Kogi, resulting in the death of 19 individuals due to burns.

Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), revealed this tragic incident. Agwu conveyed that the collision involved a Dangote Cement truck and a Toyota Hiace bus.

FRSC operatives, in a brave effort, spent three hours maneuvering through the flames to rescue two survivors of the crash, Agwu reported from Abuja.

The Toyota bus, en route from Kano, was moving in its designated lane when a Dangote truck driver, heading from Port Harcourt, made a wrongful overtaking maneuver that led to the severe head-on collision with the bus, Agwu elaborated.

He added, “The force of the impact ignited a blaze that tragically claimed the lives of the victims.”

“This accident, caused by traffic rule violation and reckless overtaking, impacted 22 individuals, all male,” Agwu highlighted.

Agwu credited the survival of the two rescued victims to their adherence to seatbelt regulations, sparing them from harm amidst the chaos.

He mentioned, “The bodies of the deceased from the crash have been taken to the Okene General Hospital for further procedures.”

Agwu affirmed that the Dangote truck driver responsible for the collision would be prosecuted, aligning with directives issued previously by Corps Marshal Alhaji Dauda Ali-Biu.