39 killed in Kano, Lagos, Ogun road crashes
Road accidents in Kano, Ogun and Lagos states have claimed 39 lives and left dozens injured. Twenty-one people were killed in a fatal crash along the Zaria-Kano highway on Sunday morning. In Ogun State, a separate accident on Saturday claimed 10 lives, while another eight people lost their lives in a crash along the Mile […]
Rescue operation at the scene of an accident along the Zaria-Kano highway, Kano on Sunday Photo: Salim Umar Ibrahim
Road accidents in Kano, Ogun and Lagos states have claimed 39 lives and left dozens injured.
Twenty-one people were killed in a fatal crash along the Zaria-Kano highway on Sunday morning.
In Ogun State, a separate accident on Saturday claimed 10 lives, while another eight people lost their lives in a crash along the Mile 2-Badagry Expressway in Lagos on the same day.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies have launched investigations into the causes of the crashes.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, increased public awareness of safe driving practices, and improved road infrastructure.
Motorists, particularly commercial drivers, have been advised to avoid overspeeding, dangerous overtaking, and disregarding traffic signals, which remain leading causes of these recurring accidents.
Authorities also urged families of the deceased to contact the nearest police divisions for identification and support.
Kano highway crash claims 21 lives
The FRSC has confirmed that 21 people lost their lives in a fatal crash that occurred along the Zaria-Kano highway on Sunday morning.
The accident, which happened around 8.23am at Kasuwar Dogo in the Dakatsalle area, involved a DAF trailer with registration number GWL 422 ZE and a Toyota Hummer bus with registration number KMC 171 YM.
According to the Kano State Sector Command of the FRSC, preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of the Hummer bus violated traffic regulations by driving against the flow of traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with the oncoming trailer. The impact triggered a fire that engulfed both vehicles, leaving most of the victims burned beyond recognition.
The Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, said the Corps’ rescue team swiftly responded after receiving the distress call. They contacted the federal and state fire services to extinguish the blaze while dispatching personnel to commence rescue and evacuation operations.
“Twenty-four people were involved in the crash. Sadly, 21 persons lost their lives, while three others sustained various degrees of injuries,” Labaran said.
He added that the charred remains of the deceased were deposited at the Nassarawa Hospital Mortuary in Kano, while the injured are receiving treatment at the Garun Malam General Hospital.
Following the incident, FRSC operatives, supported by a tow truck unit (Rs1.2 Kano) and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, worked to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow along the busy highway.
Labaran said the Sector Commander, MB Bature, expressed deep sorrow over the fatal crash, extended his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured.
He further warned motorists against route violations, dangerous overtaking, and night travel-factors commonly linked to high-fatality accidents.
“This unfortunate incident is a painful reminder of the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations. Most crashes are avoidable if only road users comply with basic safety protocols,” Bature said.
He urged commercial drivers in particular to avoid over-speeding and reckless manoeuvres, which are often the cause of multiple-fatality accidents across the country.
The latest accident adds to a growing list of fatal crashes along the Kano-Zaria corridor.
On June 1, 2025, a tragic incident occurred when a bus plunged off the Chiromawa Bridge along the same expressway, killing 22 athletes and leaving several others injured.
The bus was transporting Kano athletes returning from the National Sports Festival when the driver lost control, leading to the fatal plunge.
Similarly, on February 14, 2025, a deadly crash occurred beneath the Muhammadu Buhari Interchange Flyover along the Kano-Maiduguri road.
In that incident, a DAF trailer carrying passengers and goods reportedly lost control in the Hotoro area, resulting in the deaths of 23 people and injuries to 48 others.
10 die as bus plunges into Ogun river
At least 10 people have died and three others sustained serious injuries after a road crash on Ome Bridge, inbound Awa, Ijebu Ode-Obada Expressway in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The accident, which occurred on Saturday, involved a Mitsubishi bus with registration number EJ829 LSR, officials confirmed.
Spokesman of the Ogun State Traffic and Emergency Compliance Agency, Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, attributed the accident to wrong overtaking.
He said the driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the highway into the bush and plunged into the river.
He said emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene and evacuated victims.
The injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while the remains of the deceased have been deposited in a morgue, he added.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Ogunlowo, has warned motorists against reckless driving, especially during the rainy season when roads are slippery.
Authorities have urged relatives of the victims to visit the nearest police division for identification and further assistance.
Lagos road crash kills 8
A road crash on the Mile 2-Badagry Expressway in Lagos claimed the lives of eight people on Sunday and left many others seriously injured.
The accident occurred at Atura Bus Stop, inward Badagry, and involved a 16-seater Mazda commercial bus with registration number KJA 811 YF and a DAF truck, marked T1 4636 LA.
Eyewitnesses said the commercial bus driver was speeding and lost control, leading to a collision with the truck.
About eight passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Emergency responders, including the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force (Morogbo Division), and the 244 Battalion of the Nigerian Army (Ibereko Barracks), quickly arrived at the scene.
The survivors were evacuated to the General Hospital in Badagry for urgent medical care.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed that the crash instantly claimed the lives of eight persons, including the driver of the bus and his conductor.
He said the prompt response of the rescue teams helped save the lives of the remaining eight passengers.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the commercial bus lost control while navigating at high speed, which led to a fatal collision with the truck,” Bakare-Oki said.
He described the crash as a “heart-wrenching incident” and a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the dangers of reckless driving.
“No journey should end in such a tragedy. May the Almighty grant the deceased eternal rest and console those left behind,” he added.
Bakare-Oki also warned commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators against excessive speeding and urged strict adherence to safety protocols and regular vehicle maintenance.
“This regrettable loss of lives could have been avoided if the basic tenets of defensive driving and vehicular safety had been upheld. Speed remains a silent killer on our highways,” he said.
He said the agency has transitioned from conventional traffic regulation to a more comprehensive incident management agency.
“We are no longer merely controlling traffic; we are managing emergencies, mitigating disasters, and saving lives. This is the ethos of contemporary traffic administration,” he said.
Bakare-Oki also said the state government will soon deploy speed-limiting devices at known accident-prone locations across Lagos.
This initiative, he said, aims to reduce road carnage, ensure commuter safety, and foster a stronger culture of compliance on Lagos roads.