FRSC: 13 dead, 2 injured in auto crash along Lokoja-Obajana road

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 13 people died while two persons sustained injuries in a motor accident in Kogi state on Sunday.

NAN reports that Samuel Oyedeji, FRSC sector commander, said the accident happened at about 7.30 p.m.

He said the auto crash involving a commercial Sharon bus and an articulated truck conveying cement occurred at the Obajana market along the Obajana-Lokoja road in Lokoja LGA of Kogi state.

The sector commander said the Sharon bus had stopped at the market for passengers to buy some things when the cement truck lost control and rammed into it from behind.

The bus was said to be heading to Abuja from the southern part of Nigeria.

”As soon as the truck rammed into the bus, it immediately went into flame and burnt virtually all the passengers inside it,” Oyedeji said.

”Also burnt were the bus, two trucks and a motorcycle.

”Our personnel, who were on rescue operations with Red Cross Nigeria and Police Officers couldn’t save the situation due to the fierceness of the fire.”

“But, the charred remains of the affected persons were collected while the two injured persons have been taken to Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, for medical attention.”

The sector commander lamented that no hospital in Kogi agreed to take the remains of the victims into their morgues.

This, he said may force the authorities to give them a mass burial if no relative comes to carry them.

He described the occurrence as “very unfortunate” and cautioned motorists against overspeed and poor maintenance of their vehicles.

He said motorists should always check their vehicles to ensure that everything is in order before embarking on a journey to avoid road accidents.