A tragic incident unfolded on the Kano-Kaduna Expressway resulting in the loss of 16 lives and injuries to four individuals.
The unfortunate event involved a passenger bus traveling from Kano to Makurdi in Benue State, specifically occurring at Taban Sani Junction, Tashar Yari along the Zaria-Kano expressway at 11:20 am on a Sunday.
The Kaduna Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kabir Nadabo, attributed the fatal accident to overspeeding.
This reckless driving behavior caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, ultimately leading to a collision with a ditch.
In a statement issued by Nadabo, it was revealed that 20 people were involved in the crash, with four sustaining injuries and, sadly, 16 losing their lives.
The injured individuals were promptly transported to Makarfi General Hospital for immediate treatment, while the deceased were taken to ABU Teaching Hospital, Shika, in Zaria.
The passenger manifest was also deposited along with the bodies to aid in identifying the victims and notifying their respective families.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, the FRSC emphasized its unwavering commitment to saving lives and promoting awareness about road safety.
Given Kaduna State’s significance as a critical transport corridor, safety measures have been established to guide transporters on the importance of safe travels.
The sector commander called on stakeholders, particularly transport unions, to collaborate in advocating for safety.
Notably, the FRSC, in partnership with transport unions, is actively engaging in sensitizing passengers about the imperative need to observe caution while advising drivers against practices such as excess speeding, wrongful overtaking, and overloading.
In a proactive approach, the FRSC in Kaduna State is working with media outlets to disseminate information to the public regarding the dangers associated with dangerous driving.
This includes issues like overloading, driving with worn-out tires, and the fatigue induced by prolonged journeys, all of which contribute to the alarming rate of accidents on the roads, as noted by Nadabo.
