By: Manoah Kikekon
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| FRSC I accident scene used to illustrate the story |
BAUCHI, NIGERIA – A devastating lone auto crash along the Jama’are-Azare road in Bauchi State has claimed the lives of nine passengers and left 10 others fighting for their lives. The accident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, has once again raised urgent concerns regarding road safety and speed regulation on Nigerian highways.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bauchi State Command, confirmed the incident involving a commercial Toyota bus with registration number KTG181 ZZ. The vehicle was reportedly transporting 19 passengers from Gombe State to Kano State when the driver lost control.
According to the State Sector Commander, Apaji Boyi, the crash occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. Despite the swift response from emergency teams, the impact proved fatal for nearly half of the occupants.
"Nineteen persons were involved in the fatal road crash, and nine of them lost their lives on the spot, while 10 sustained serious injuries," Commander Boyi stated while briefing journalists.
Initial investigations by the FRSC point to a combination of human errors as the primary cause of the disaster. Commander Boyi attributed the crash to a speed limit violation, driver fatigue, and an eventual loss of control.
The FRSC personnel arrived at the scene within 10 minutes to conduct rescue operations and clear the wreckage to prevent further traffic gridlock. The injured victims were immediately evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare, for intensive medical treatment, while the remains of the deceased were deposited at the facility's morgue.
In the wake of this tragedy, the FRSC has issued a stern advisory to commercial drivers and private car owners to prioritize safety over speed. The command emphasized that many highway accidents are preventable if traffic regulations are strictly shadowed.
"The FRSC will not relent in sensitising motorists to traffic rules, signs, and regulations in the state," Boyi added, urging drivers to be more conscious of their physical state and vehicle conditions before embarking on long-distance trips.