No fewer than 15 people have lost their lives in a lone road crash at the Muslim Cemetery area along the Ogbomoso–Oko Olowo section of the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway in Kwara State.
According to a report by the Federal Road Safety Corps, the accident occurred at about 2:32 a.m. on Monday and involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL274XC.
The trailer, which was carrying a heavy load and several passengers on top, reportedly veered off the road after the driver allegedly fell asleep. The truck’s trailer detached from the head, causing the load to collapse on the passengers.
The FRSC report stated that 48 males were involved in the crash. Of the number, 15 died, 17 sustained varying degrees of injuries, while 16 escaped unhurt.
According to the report, the victims suffered fractures, dislocations and bruises.
The Kwara State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, confirmed the incident and identified the driver as Nasiru Mohammed.
He said the injured victims were taken to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were released to their families and the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo in Moro Local Government Area.
Kazeem added that rescue workers were still searching for more victims believed to be trapped beneath the fallen load.
He said the rescue operation was jointly carried out by personnel from the RS8.15 Oloru Unit and RS8.1 Kwara (Oko Olowo Outpost).
The sector commander said the command would intensify public enlightenment campaigns through town hall meetings with relevant stakeholders, while urging motorists to avoid mixed loading and night travel.
