No fewer than 17 persons were on Tuesday killed in a ghastly motor accident along the Irepene Abuja/Lokoja highway in Kogi State.
The accident occurred at about 5:00 hours on Tuesday when a Toyota Hiace bus and a luxury bus collided.
Fifteen of the passengers were said to have died on the spot while other passengers who sustained degrees of injuries were rushed to the hospital.
Also, two of the passengers earlietr rushed to the hospital later died.
Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corp, Solomon Agure, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The Toyota Hiace was going down to Auchi Edo State and the Luxurious bus was coming from Okene axis. The Luxurious bus overtook a car and lost control. Of course, it was night, so he came and hit the smaller Toyota bus pushing it into the bush. The vehicle somersaulted, and 15 people died on the spot and two later died in the hospital.”
Agure, however, warned motorists to reduce their speed, avoid night travel, and always plan their journey stressing that, while travelling, they should avoid dangerous overtaking.
“It is very important for motorists to obey the speed limit which is 90 with commercial vehicles and 100 with private vehicles,” he stated.
Agure said the command had deployed no fewer than 522 personnel to ensure a free flow of traffic during this yuletide season.
The sector commander further hinted that more officers are expected from neighbouring Ekiti and Kwara State to support the command for a hitch-free Christmas celebration.