How Kogi road claimed 37 lives in 13 months

The persistent occurrence of fatal accidents along the Kabba-Obajana-Lokoja Road in Kogi State has sparked growing concern among commuters and residents of surrounding communities.

Many now describe the route as the deadliest road in the state due to its alarming death toll.

Between April 2024 and May 2025, numerous accidents have been recorded on the road, resulting in at least 37 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

SPONSOR AD

According to reports, victims of these tragic incidents are often burnt beyond recognition, with their remains carried away in body parts and buried in mass graves.

The most recent crash occurred on Sunday and claimed 19 lives. The accident involved a Toyota Hummer bus, reportedly heading to Abuja from the southern region of the country, and an articulated truck.

Eyewitnesses revealed that the bus, which was allegedly on top speed, attempted to overtake another truck when it collided head-on with an oncoming articulated vehicle.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) State Commander, Mr Kumar Tsukwam, said 19 persons died while eight others sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Some of the survivors suffered bruises, cuts, dislocations, fractures, and fire burns. Our rescue team, in collaboration with the police, was able to evacuate the eight survivors and rushed them to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for immediate medical attention,” Tsukwam said.

In a similarly tragic incident, another fatal crash occurred on May 23, 2024, along the same Kabba-Obajana highway.

Five people lost their lives in a collision involving two vehicles near a village between the Agbede and Agbadu communities. The crash reportedly occurred when a Ford Galaxy space wagon had a head-on collision with an oncoming Mazda car.

Three individuals were said to have survived the crash.

Earlier, on April 1, 2024, an articulated vehicle rammed into a passenger bus at the Obajana Market, leaving 13 passengers burnt beyond recognition.

The accident was reported to have occurred around 7:30 p.m. when a cement truck lost its brakes and crashed into a parked Sharon bus carrying Abuja-bound passengers. The impact caused an immediate fire outbreak that engulfed the vehicles. Two other persons were critically injured in the crash.

According to the Kogi State FRSC Commander, Mr Samuel Oyedeji, the Sharon bus had stopped by the market to drop off passengers when the truck failed its brakes and rammed into it from behind.

“As soon as the truck hit the bus, it went up in flames and burnt virtually all the passengers inside. Also consumed by the fire were the bus, two trucks, and a motorcycle,” Oyedeji said.

“Our personnel, along with Red Cross Nigeria and police officers, were present for the rescue operation, but the intensity of the fire prevented any meaningful intervention.

The charred remains of the victims were collected, and the two injured persons were rushed to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for treatment,” he added.

Causes of accidents

The Kogi Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has attributed the frequent and deadly accidents along the Kabba-Obajana-Lokoja Road to excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, failure to adhere to traffic rules, and poor vehicle maintenance.

“It is very unfortunate. Several of these fatal accidents result from over-speeding and wrongful overtaking,” an FRSC official said.

“These highways are not racetracks. Motorists must avoid reckless driving and always comply with traffic regulations. Doing so will assist both the corps and the federal government in reducing road traffic crashes and carnage nationwide.”

Echoing his predecessor, Mr Samuel Oyedeji, the current sector commander described the accidents on the road as “Very sad and unfortunate.”

He urged motorists to exercise caution and ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on any journey.

“Drivers must take responsibility. Regular vehicle checks and strict adherence to traffic rules are vital to preventing needless loss of lives,” he advised.

Residents call for discipline, drivers blame poor road condition

Residents of communities along the Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba Road corridor lamented the increasing number of fatal accidents on the highway that passes through their towns.

For many, the trauma of losing loved ones “while hustling” on a road in their backyard is emotionally overwhelming.

They called for discipline and caution among articulated truck drivers and other road users, citing reckless driving as a major cause of the tragic incidents.

“We have observed that some of these truck drivers have no regard for traffic rules,” said Ajiboye Durosimi, a driver and resident of Oyo-Iwaa.

“Meanwhile, drivers of lighter vehicles are always in a hurry, overtaking without observing basic traffic regulations.

“If everyone followed the rules, we would have fewer accidents and fatalities. Our roads are narrow and in bad condition, making them prone to unexpected mishaps,” he added.

Meanwhile, many commercial drivers have expressed mixed feelings about the repeated fatal accidents along the route.

While some voiced their sadness over the loss of lives, others blamed the poor state of the road and the negligence of relevant authorities.

“The road is riddled with potholes, collapsed shoulders, and narrow lanes. It is far too busy for both trucks and smaller vehicles to navigate safely. Any small mistake can lead to disaster,” said Abubakar Jimoh, a transporter who operates along the Kabba-Lokoja route from the Mega Park at Felele in Lokoja.

He also pointed out the impact of increased traffic due to the cement factory in the area. “The advent of the cement plant has made the road extremely busy. It should be under constant rehabilitation to ensure smooth and safe travel,” he added.

A Lokoja-based analyst, Comrade James Emmanuel, described the recurring fatal accidents along the Kabba-Obajana-Lokoja road as “accidents too many.”

He called on government authorities to rise to the occasion and provide a sustainable solution to end the cycle of tragedy.

“There’s a constant gory narrative surrounding that road-massive deaths, burnt bodies, scattered remains, and mass burials. It sends chills through the hearts of anyone with empathy. It’s high time we found a solution that reflects our humanity,” he said.

Governor Ododo seeks federal intervention

Kogi State governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has expressed profound sorrow over the recent tragic accident along the Lokoja-Obajana Road that claimed 19 lives and left eight others critically injured.

The governor called on the federal government to intervene by reconstructing deteriorating roads in the state.

Describing the accident as a devastating loss not only to the bereaved families but to the entire state, Governor Ododo said, “Losing 19 lives, including innocent children, in one accident is a tragedy for which words cannot fully express our grief.

“Our hearts are heavy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected, and we must take urgent steps to prevent such sorrowful occurrences. No journey is worth the risk of over-speeding.”

Governor Ododo also commended the swift response of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police in rescuing survivors and managing the accident scene.