Fifteen people have lost their lives after a truck carrying 48 passengers crashed along the Ogbomoso to Oko Olowo section of the Ilorin to Jebba Expressway in Kwara State. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the accident occurred at about 2:32 a.m. on Monday near the Muslim Cemetery area. The lone crash involved a DAF XF truck with registration number GWL 274 XC.
Driver Fatigue Caused the Fatal Crash
Kwara Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabir Kazeem, said investigations indicated that the driver became fatigued before the vehicle crashed. According to him, all 48 occupants of the truck were male. Fifteen died at the scene, while 17 others sustained injuries of varying severity. Sixteen passengers escaped without injuries.
Kazeem said the injured victims suffered fractures, dislocations and bruises. They were evacuated to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment.
Aftermath and Search for Additional Victims
The FRSC official disclosed that the bodies of those who died had been released to their families through the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo in Moro Local Government Area for burial. He added that rescue workers continued searching the crash site to determine whether additional victims had been trapped beneath the truck's load.
The emergency operation was conducted by personnel from the RS8.15 Oloru Unit Command and the RS8.1 Kwara Command at the Oko Olowo Outpost.
FRSC to Intensify Awareness Campaigns
Following the tragedy, the FRSC said it would step up public awareness campaigns through meetings with transport operators and other stakeholders across the state. Kazeem urged motorists to avoid driving when tired, especially during night journeys. He also warned against mixed loading and other unsafe transport practices that increase the risk of fatal crashes.
The latest accident adds to concerns over road safety on Nigeria's highways, where fatigue, speeding and poor driving decisions continue to contribute to deadly collisions.
