The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has blamed speeding, driver fatigue, dangerous driving and other traffic violations for three separate road crashes that claimed 32 lives across Kogi, Ogun and Kwara states between Sunday and Monday.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Deputy Corps Commander Osondu Ohaeri, the FRSC described the incidents as tragic and extended its condolences to the families of the victims, while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
According to the Corps, the first crash occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday along the Okene-Lokoja Road near Confluence University, Osara, in Kogi State.
The crash involved a MAN truck and a Toyota Sienna commercial bus carrying 10 occupants. Seven people, comprising six men and one woman, died in the accident, while three injured male victims were taken to Abobo General Hospital for treatment.
Preliminary investigations identified a tyre burst as the cause of the crash.
Later on Sunday, at about 8:05 p.m., another fatal accident occurred at Sapade Bridge on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway in Ogun State, involving a SINOTRUK truck and a Toyota Hiace bus with 18 occupants.
The FRSC said 10 people, including nine men and one male child, lost their lives, while six others sustained injuries and were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere. Two other occupants escaped unhurt.
The Corps attributed the crash to speeding, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving after the truck reportedly created a hazardous situation on the highway.
The third crash occurred in the early hours of Monday at Oko-Olowo along the Ogbomosho-Oloru Road in Kwara State.
The lone accident involved a DAF trailer conveying passengers alongside goods. Of the 48 male adults involved, 15 were killed, 17 sustained injuries, while 16 others were rescued unhurt.
According to the FRSC, investigations revealed that driver fatigue was the immediate cause of the crash, while the high number of casualties was worsened by the illegal practice of transporting passengers together with goods, commonly known as mixed loading.
Reacting to the incidents, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, described the crashes as heartbreaking and preventable.
He said recurring violations, including speeding, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, poor tyre maintenance, driver fatigue and mixed loading, continue to undermine road safety efforts across the country.
Mohammed urged motorists, transport companies and commercial vehicle operators to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are used, tyres are properly maintained and replaced when necessary, speed limits are observed, drivers are adequately rested before embarking on trips, and passengers are never transported alongside goods.
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