Deadly Road Accidents Claim 32 Lives in Nigeria’s Central Region

At least 32 people have been killed and more than 73 others injured in a series of road accidents in Nigeria’s central region, local authorities reported. The accidents, which occurred in Plateau, Kogi, and Niger States, have sparked renewed concerns about road safety in Africa’s most populous country.

On Saturday, a tragic incident in Plateau State resulted in the deaths of 19 wedding guests and left 11 others severely injured. According to John Dasar, head of the emergency management committee in Pankshin Local Government Area, the bus carrying the guests overturned on a rocky road and caught fire while bystanders were attempting to rescue the passengers, killing many beyond recognition.

In Kogi State, another road accident on Tuesday night claimed the lives of six people and left more than 60 others injured. Samuel Oyedeji, sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi, attributed the incident to “over-speeding” and stressed the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.

A third fatal crash occurred along the Bida-Mokwa Road in Niger State, where a high-speed Toyota sedan collided head-on with a truck, killing seven people and injuring two others. The FRSC’s Kumar Tsukwam called the collision “devastating.”

Experts warn that deadly accidents are a frequent problem in Nigeria, often attributed to factors such as overloading, poor road conditions, and reckless driving. Road safety advocate Taiwo Akanni emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to tackle the issue, involving government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and road users.