No fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead, while nine others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a ghastly road accident along the Lokoja–Obajana Road in Kogi State.
The crash, which involved a Toyota Hiace bus and an articulated vehicle, occurred on Thursday night at the Apata area of the highway.
Witnesses said the accident happened when the Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number XW 142 ENU, had a head-on collision with a trailer bearing registration number KAB 575 XA, which was travelling in the opposite direction.
Confirming the incident on Saturday, the Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Tenimu Yusuf Etuku, described the crash as fatal, attributing it to excessive speed.
According to him, nine victims (eight males and one female) sustained injuries, while six persons (five males and one female) lost their lives. Two other occupants were rescued unhurt.
He explained that the accident occurred when the Toyota Hiace bus rammed into the trailer at high speed.
The FRSC commander added that the injured victims had been taken to Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at Ankuri Mortuary in Lokoja.
He further disclosed that items recovered from the scene included ₦20,800 in cash, two bags, two Airtel mobile phones, sack bags and three other bags, alongside the accident vehicles, which have been handed over to the Obajana Police Station.
Etuku advised motorists to avoid excessive speeding on highways to reduce road crashes and prevent the loss of lives and property.
