By Nkechi Eze
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed has stated that he is deeply saddened by the tragic death of 17 road traffic crash victims, including one of the emergency rescue operatives of the Corps who was deployed to carry out rescue operation at the scene of the crash. He also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, urged motorists to make vehicle maintenance a priority and adhere to speed limits so as to prevent reoccurrence of such tragedies in the future.
ACM Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Corps Public Relations Officer in an official signed statement disclosed that the fatal multiple crash which occurred as a result of excessive speed and break failure at exactly 1600HRS in Gbara area of Ogun State involved 7 vehicles in the category of a white DAF truck with registration number T14007LA, Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number AGL752YC, Honda saloon car bearing the registration number HET680, and a Nissan Pick up Van with registration number STF10204.
He further reveled that other vehicles are; a Nissan Pick up Van with the following registration details STF10204 belonging to Nigeria Police Force, 2 Bajaj motorcycles with the registration numbers AGG448Q and PKA214WS, as well as a white DAF truck with no evidence of registration.
The multiple crash also involved 18 victims (12 male adults, 5 female adults and 1 female child). Out of the number, 17 victims were killed comprising of ( 11 male adults, 5 female adults,1 female child). Only 1 victim was rescued with injury.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the Corps Marshal emphasised that the Corps is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users. However, the alarming rate of speed-related crashes on our roads is a pressing concern.
As such, he urged all motorists to take responsibility for their actions and respect speed limits, while lamenting that the consequences of speeding are devastating, and FRSC cannot afford to lose more lives on Nigerian roads.
While bemoaning the death of the Marshal who was killed in active service along 16 other innocent Nigerians, the Corps Marshal vowed that the driver responsible for the carnage will definitely be prosecuted as part of ongoing efforts of the Corps to ensure that all drivers involved in fatal crash face the wrath of the law.
The FRSC reaffirms its commitment to promoting road safety awareness and enforcing traffic laws, striving to make Nigerian roads safer for everyone. To achieve this goal, the Corps urges motorists, pedestrians, and the general public to join forces with them in combating speed limit violations.
