Less than 2 weeks after Road Traffic Crashes (RRC) claimed the lives of 63 persons in three states of Niger, Bauchi, Kebbi, within 48 hours, another set of 15 persons have been confirmed dead in a RTC crash that occurred in Enugu State on Saturday.
According to a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Bisi Kazeem, on Sunday, the road crash was caused by excessive speed and route violation.
Kazeem quoted the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dauda Biu, as advising against night trips, adding that the corps is ready to end all speed-induced crashes.
The statement read, “The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu, has for the umpteenth time advised the motoring public to avoid night trips due to the dangers that come with it; while reaffirming the readiness and determination of the Corps to bring to an end, all speed-induced crashes as he puts machinery in motion towards re-jigging operational strategies for positive results.
“This came following a considerable increase in speed-related crashes and fatalities recorded in recent times, particularly the fatal crash that occurred at exactly 8.20pm on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 0.45km before the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku, Ozalla in Enugu State.
“The crash involved a Toyota Hiace commercial bus and a Mercedes Benz truck with number plate AAA264XR. A total of 15 people, comprising 13 occupants on board the Toyota Hiace and two occupants in the Mercedes truck were all killed and burnt beyond recognition.
“The report revealed that the fatal crash was caused by excessive speed and route violation which is driving against traffic popularly referred to in local parlance as ‘one way.’
“The Mercedes Benz truck driver, in violation of established traffic rules, drove against traffic, thereby colliding into the Toyota Hiace commercial bus that was already on a high speed.”
According to the statement, the Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state has authorised a mass burial for the burnt victims in the presence of men of the Nigeria Police Force, FRSC, and other sympathisers.
The statement added, “The Corps Marshal, while reassuring the public of the Corps’ readiness to combat crashes on our roads, said unfortunately, most of the crashes that have occurred would have been avoided if the motorists all played by the rules and exhibited a high level of compliance to traffic regulations.
“He, therefore, called on all road users to restrain from abusing traffic laws and always be safety conscious at all times.”
