The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed the death of 11 people in a road crash at Aiyere, along Bode Saadu-Ilorin Route, Moro LGA in Kwara.

FRSC sector commander Stephen Dawulung told journalists that the crash involved 18 people and occurred at 4:50 a.m. on Tuesday.

Mr Dawulung said of the 18 people, 11 people died on the spot while seven others suffered varying degrees of injury.

He stated, “Preliminary investigations revealed that on Tuesday, January 2, a crash occurred around 4:50 a.m. due to wrongful overtaking and speed violation.

“A Toyota Hiace bus coming from Gombe en route to Lagos wrongfully overtook another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with an oncoming DAF truck.

“On receiving the report of the crash, our operatives at the Help and Rescue Camp established at Bode Saadu to fortify rescue operations during the end-of-year special patrol operations were immediately mobilised.”

The FRSC official added, “They hurried to the crash scene for the rescue operation, which was carried out in conjunction with men of the Nigeria Police Force, Divisional Headquarters, Bode Saadu.”

The sector commander said the injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital for proper treatment, and a full investigation into the crash was launched.

He sympathised with the families of the dead and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured ones.

Mr Dawulung admonished drivers to drive within the stipulated speed limits and avoid night journeys and long hours of driving without adequate rest.

He said violations of such rules of driving could result in crashes with high fatalities.

He assured that the FRSC would continue to discharge its primary responsibilities of curbing road traffic crashes with the highest level of proficiency and professionalism to ensure the safety of all road users. 

(NAN)