Six killed, others injured as multiple vehicles crash in Kogi

A devastating multiple auto crash has claimed the lives of six individuals and left five others injured in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, describing it as both “tragic and very unfortunate.”

According to Mr. Samuel Ogundayo, the acting Sector Commander of FRSC in Kogi, the fatal accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday in the Okenkwe community, near Okene town.

The chain-reaction crash reportedly started when a truck, attempting to ascend the Okengwe hill, suffered a brake failure.

The vehicle rolled backward uncontrollably, smashing into two tricycles, three cars, and another truck parked along the busy road.

Ogundayo, while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), emphasized the gravity of the accident, stating that it involved a total of seven vehicles. Emergency response teams were quickly deployed to the scene to rescue victims and clear the wreckage.

“This is a tragic and very unfortunate incident. We urge all drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles, to prioritize routine maintenance and safety checks to avoid such needless loss of lives,” Ogundayo urged.

As of the time of this report, the identities of the deceased had not yet been released. The injured are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

“The tragic and unfortunate incident left six people dead and five others injured.

“The FRSC rescue operatives who arrived the accident scene in good time rushed the injured to the Referral Hospital, Okene for treatment, while the corpses of the dead were deposited at Mortuary of the Onene General hospital, ” he stated.

According to him, it took the efforts of his officers and other security agencies to clear the gridlock on the highway for the free flow of traffic.

The commander advised motorists to always take precautions by giving good distance to trucks on highways, especially in hilly areas, so as to avoid any eventuality at break loss.

He tasked motorists to endeavour to keep to the traffic rules and regulations to help in the reduction of traffic road crashes and carnage on our roads.