The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of 10 persons in a road crash that occurred on Monday along the Tafa axis of Niger State, attributing the incident to excessive speeding and illegal passenger conveyance.
The accident, which took place at about 8:20 a.m. on the Tafa–Gujeni route at Malam Tanko, involved a DAF tanker with registration number FKY136XD carrying 33 male occupants. According to preliminary findings, 10 persons died, 20 sustained varying degrees of injuries, while three others were rescued unhurt.
The FRSC said investigations indicate that the crash resulted from loss of control due to speeding. It also condemned the practice of “mixed loading,” where goods and passengers are transported together in the same vehicle, describing it as dangerous and unlawful.
Emergency responders from the Corps arrived promptly at the scene, rescuing 23 victims and clearing the obstruction to restore traffic flow. The injured were taken to the Umar Musa General Hospital in Sabon Wuse for treatment, while the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
Reacting to the incident, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the crash as avoidable and a stark reminder of the consequences of traffic violations. He stressed that no journey is worth the loss of human lives and condemned the persistent disregard for safety regulations by some road users.
Mohammed said the Corps would intensify enforcement measures and public awareness campaigns to curb speeding and eliminate unsafe practices such as mixed loading on highways.
He urged transport operators and drivers to comply strictly with safety rules, adhere to speed limits, and avoid using unsuitable vehicles for passenger transportation.
The Corps Marshal also extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery, while calling on the public to remain safety conscious, noting that road safety is a shared responsibility.
