15 Killed, 17 Injured As Trailer Crashes In Kwara
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A tragic road accident in Kwara State has claimed the lives of 15 people, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a trailer conveying dozens of passengers crashed in the early hours of Sunday at Oko-Olowo, along the Ogbomoso-Oloru Road.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara Sector Command, said the lone crash occurred at about 2:32 a.m. near the Muslim Cemetery in Oko-Olowo.
According to the crash report, the DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC was being driven by Nasiru Muhammed when the accident occurred.
A total of 48 male occupants were involved in the crash. Fifteen persons died on the spot, 17 sustained injuries ranging from fractures, dislocations and bruises, while 16 others escaped unhurt.
The FRSC attributed the fatal crash to driver fatigue.
The injured victims were evacuated to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families through the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko-Olowo.
The rescue operation was jointly carried out by personnel of the FRSC Oloru Unit Command and the Oko-Olowo Outpost. Search efforts were still ongoing at the scene to locate additional victims believed to be trapped beneath the trailer’s load.
The Kwara Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, personally visited the crash scene to coordinate rescue and recovery operations.
Speaking on the incident, Kazeem said the command would intensify public enlightenment campaigns through town hall meetings with relevant stakeholders to promote safer road use.
He also advised motorists to avoid mixed loading of passengers and goods as well as night travel, stressing that such practices significantly increase the risk of fatal road crashes.
The statement confirming the incident was issued by the Acting Officer in Charge of the FRSC Oko-Olowo Outpost, SRC Taofeeq M. Sanusi.
