The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has bemoaned the tragic death of 17 persons in a road crash, including one of its emergency rescue operatives.

Mr Mohammed expressed his condolences in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide.

The FRSC boss, however, added that the operative who lost his life was deployed to carry out rescue operations at the scene of the crash.

He also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and urged motorists to make vehicle maintenance a priority and adhere to speed limits.

This, he said, would also help to prevent reoccurrence of such tragedies in the future.

Mr Mohammed recalled that the fatal multiple crash occurred as a result of excessive speed and break failure at exactly 1600hrs in Gbara area of Ogun State.

He said that the crash involved 7 vehicles in the category of a white DAF truck with registration number T14007LA, a Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number AGL752YC.

A Honda saloon car bearing the registration number HET680, and a Nissan pickup van with registration number STF10204 were also involved in the accident.

He said, “Others are a Nissan pickup van with the following registration details STF10204 belonging to Nigeria Police Force. Two 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, consisting of (11 male adults, 5 female adults, 1 female child). Only one victim was rescued with injury.’’

The FRSC corps marshal emphasised that the corps was committed to ensuring the safety of all road users.

Mr Mohammed, however, said that the alarming rate of speed-related crashes on the roads was a pressing concern.

He urged motorists to take responsibility for their actions and respect speed limits.

He lamented that the consequences of speeding were devastating, and FRSC could not afford to lose more lives on Nigerian roads.

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 would definitely be prosecuted.

He added, “There are ongoing efforts of the corps to ensure that drivers involved in fatal crash face the wrath of the law. FRSC will continue to work tirelessly to promote road safety awareness and enforce traffic laws and the corps will not relent in its efforts to make our roads safer for all users. We appeal to stakeholders, including motorists, pedestrians and the general public to join FRSC in the crusade against speed limit violations.’’

(NAN)