By Thompson Yamput
Lokoja, Dec. 20, 2025
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed a devastating road traffic crash that claimed the lives of 12 persons, including one child, and left two others injured. The fatal accident occurred late Friday night along the Ejule-Enugu highway in the Iboko community of Idah Local Government Area, Kogi State.
Mr. Tenimu Etuku, the FRSC Sector Commander for Kogi State, described the incident as “fatal and very unfortunate” in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Preliminary investigations indicate the crash involved an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus, belonging to Romchi Mass Transit, which was traveling from Abuja to the eastern part of the country.
Deeper Context: The Mechanics of a Preventable Tragedy
According to Commander Etuku, the primary cause was a lethal combination of over-speeding and a stationary hazard. The bus, moving at high speed, rammed into a parked, faulty articulated vehicle. This scenario highlights a critical and common failure in defensive driving: the inability to stop within the range of one’s headlights, especially at night. At 11:30 p.m., visibility is limited, and speed dramatically reduces a driver’s reaction time and stopping distance.
This accident is not an isolated incident but part of a distressing pattern of road fatalities in Nigeria, which often see a sharp increase during festive periods like the Yuletide. The combination of higher traffic volumes, long-distance travel, driver fatigue, and increased pressure to meet passenger demands creates a perfect storm for road safety risks.
Emergency Response and the Human Cost
FRSC personnel who conducted the rescue operation rushed the two injured survivors to the Mercy of Jesus Hospital in Ejule for urgent medical attention. The bodies of the 12 deceased were deposited at a morgue. Each number represents a profound personal loss—families shattered, especially with the death of a child, and communities left to mourn during a season meant for celebration.
A Sector Commander’s Plea: Beyond the Headlines
While expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, Commander Etuku used this tragedy to issue a stark and urgent warning to all motorists. He reiterated the extreme dangers of excessive speed and reckless overtaking, practices that transform vehicles into lethal weapons.
“At this yuletide, motorists must be careful and adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations to avoid such accidents and wastage of precious lives,” Etuku stated. “I believe this is one way to help the FRSC and the federal government reduce the alarming rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities in the country.”
He offered practical, life-saving advice: “I hereby urge drivers to exercise patience and maintain safe driving practices, especially during long-distance journeys in this yuletide.”
Transforming Grief into Action: A Call for Collective Responsibility
This crash serves as a grim reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility. While the FRSC works on enforcement and emergency response, passengers must also be vigilant. They have the right to question a driver’s speed and demand safe practices. Transport companies, like Romchi Mass Transit, must enforce strict driver safety protocols, including mandatory rest periods and speed limiters.
For the individual driver, the lessons are clear:
- Speed Kills: Always drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear.
- Night Driving Demands Extra Caution: Reduce speed significantly after dark.
- Defensive Driving is Key: Constantly scan the road ahead for hazards, including parked vehicles.
- Patience Saves Lives: Holiday travel delays are preferable to fatal accidents.
The 12 lives lost on the Ejule-Enugu highway are a tragic statistic, but they must also become a catalyst for change. Honoring their memory requires a renewed commitment from every road user to make safety a non-negotiable priority.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
TYC/YMU
Edited by Yakubu Uba
