16 Killed In Fatal Lokoja–Okene Highway Crash

16 Killed In Fatal Lokoja–Okene Highway Crash

At least 16 passengers have died in a tragic road accident on the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State, after a commercial bus travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Lagos reportedly lost control and plunged off the road near a bridge. The accident occurred at about 9:20 a.m. on Friday around Aku village in Osara, according to the Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lawal Fagge, who confirmed the incident in Lokoja.

The crash involved a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BUU 17 ZD, which was conveying 22 passengers made up of 21 males and one female. The vehicle was on a long-distance journey from Jos to Lagos when it reportedly veered off the highway at high speed and plunged beneath a bridge, resulting in a devastating impact that claimed multiple lives.

The FRSC confirmed that 16 passengers died instantly at the scene, while six others survived with varying degrees of injuries. Rescue operatives from the FRSC Kogi Command responded swiftly after receiving a distress call and evacuated the injured victims for urgent medical attention.

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The survivors were taken to hospitals in Osara and the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja, where they are currently receiving treatment. The remains of the deceased victims were deposited at the Ankuri Mortuary in Lokoja pending further procedures.

Preliminary findings from the FRSC suggest that the crash may have been caused by speeding and driver fatigue, both of which remain major causes of fatal road accidents on Nigerian highways. Officials explained that long-distance commercial drivers are often exposed to exhaustion, increasing the risk of losing control while driving.

The FRSC has again urged motorists to strictly obey traffic rules, speed limits, and mandatory rest guidelines, especially on interstate routes such as the Lokoja–Okene corridor. The agency also warned against reckless driving and night travel without adequate rest, noting that such behaviour continues to contribute to avoidable deaths on highways.

The Lokoja–Okene highway, a major transport route connecting northern and southern Nigeria, has witnessed repeated fatal crashes in recent years, raising concerns among road safety stakeholders. Authorities have continued to call for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved driver discipline to reduce accidents on the corridor.

Investigations into the latest crash are ongoing.

16 Killed In Fatal Lokoja–Okene Highway Crash