Six people lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries in a series of auto crashes in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja, the state capital.
Samuel Ogundayo, the Acting Sector Commander of the FRSC in Kogi, described the accident as “tragic and deeply unfortunate.” He explained that the crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Monday in the Okenkwe community of Okene and involved seven vehicles.
Ogundayo stated that the incident was triggered when a truck failed to ascend the Okengwe hill, lost its brakes, and rolled backward. In the process, it crushed two tricycles, three cars, and collided with another truck.
“The tragic and unfortunate incident left six people dead and five others injured. The FRSC rescue operatives who arrived at the accident scene in good time rushed the injured to the Referral Hospital, Okene, for treatment. At the same time, the corpses of the dead were deposited at the 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 urged 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.