No fewer than 12 people have been confirmed dead, while two others sustained injuries in a fatal road crash that occurred on Friday night along the Ejule–Enugu highway in Kogi State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident on Saturday and attributed the crash to excessive speed.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Tenimu Etuku, described the accident as “fatal and very unfortunate,” adding that a child was among the victims.
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Ejule–Enugu road crash: Accident Occurred at Iboko Community
Etuku said the crash happened at about 11:30 p.m. at Iboko community in Idah Local Government Area.
According to him, the accident involved an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Romchi Mass Transit. The bus was travelling from Abuja to the eastern part of the country when it collided with a stationary articulated vehicle that had broken down on the highway.
He explained that overspeeding caused the bus to ram into the parked truck.
Rescue Operations and Medical Response
FRSC officials immediately carried out rescue operations at the scene.
The injured victims were taken to Mercy of Jesus Hospital in Ejule for medical treatment. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased were deposited at a morgue.
FRSC Warns Motorists Ahead of Festive Season
Etuku expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and warned motorists against dangerous driving habits, especially during the festive period.
He urged drivers to be patient and comply strictly with traffic rules and regulations to prevent avoidable crashes and loss of lives.
“During the yuletide, motorists must exercise caution and observe road safety rules to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities,” he said.
Heavy Traffic Raises Accident Risk
The Ejule–Enugu road is a major federal highway linking the North-Central and South-East regions of Nigeria. The route often experiences heavy traffic, particularly during festive seasons, increasing the risk of accidents.
The FRSC has repeatedly cautioned road users to avoid speeding, reckless overtaking and driving while fatigued, stressing that these factors remain leading causes of fatal crashes on Nigerian highways.
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