OSOGBO, Jan. 2, 2026 – A single vehicle accident on the Osogbo–Gbongan Expressway on Friday afternoon resulted in one severe injury, while 15 other passengers miraculously escaped unharmed, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The incident has prompted urgent safety warnings from authorities as the new year begins.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. near the Gbongan-Ode Omu Grammar School axis. Mr. Adegboyega Leye, the Osun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, detailed the cause in a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Mrs. Agnes Ogungbemi. The accident involved a white commercial bus which suffered a catastrophic tyre burst. Crucially, the driver was reportedly traveling at excessive speed, which caused the vehicle to lose control completely when the tyre failed.
“A total of 16 passengers were involved in the accident, with only one sustaining severe injuries. The remaining 15 passengers were not hurt,” Leye confirmed. The injured victim was swiftly transported to a hospital in Gbongan for emergency medical attention. The FRSC rescue team, which responded to the scene, confiscated the vehicle as part of their standard investigative and regulatory procedure.
Beyond the Headline: The Deadly Combination of Speed and Tyre Failure
While the headline focuses on the fortunate escape of 15 individuals, this accident underscores a frequent and lethal pattern on Nigerian roads. A burst tyre alone is a dangerous mechanical failure, but its consequences are exponentially magnified by high speed. At excessive velocities, a driver has virtually no time to react and correct the vehicle’s trajectory after a blowout. The resulting loss of control often leads to rollovers, collisions with roadside obstacles, or veering into oncoming traffic.
Commercial vehicles, like the bus involved in this incident, present a heightened risk. They are often subject to intense usage, long hours on the road, and sometimes inadequate maintenance schedules—all factors that can compromise tyre integrity. Passengers place immense trust in the driver’s skill and the vehicle’s roadworthiness.
FRSC’s Stern Warning and Proactive Safety Measures
In light of this near-fatal event, Sector Commander Leye issued a direct warning to all motorists. He emphasized the need to “refrain from speeding, noting that it often results in loss of lives and property on highways.”
This warning is a cornerstone of the FRSC’s public education campaigns. Speed is consistently identified as a primary contributory factor in road traffic crashes nationwide. The Corps advocates for several key preventative measures that drivers must adopt:
- Regular Tyre Checks: Inspect tyre pressure, tread depth, and overall condition before every long journey. Look for cracks, bulges, or embedded objects.
- Observing Speed Limits: Speed limits are set for road conditions. Adhering to them provides critical reaction time in emergencies.
- Proper Loading: Overloading a vehicle stresses tyres and suspension, increasing the risk of failure.
- Defensive Driving: Maintaining a safe following distance and scanning the road ahead allows drivers to anticipate hazards.
The fact that only one person was seriously injured in an accident involving a speeding bus with a burst tyre is exceptionally fortunate. This incident serves as a stark reminder and a second chance. It highlights the thin line between a scary incident and a mass casualty tragedy. As travel continues during the new year period, the FRSC’s message is clear: vehicle maintenance and responsible driving are non-negotiable prerequisites for safe journeys.
Report by Joshua Oladipo for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Bayo Sekoni.
