No fewer than 12 people lost their lives while three others sustained injuries in a multiple-vehicle accident along the Yangoji–Abaji axis of the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.
The crash occurred around 11:45 a.m. at Gada Biyu, with the first distress call received at about 11:47 a.m., according to a statement by the FRSC FCT Command’s Public Education Officer, Helen Ntaji. She said the Zebra 6 Yangoji patrol team arrived at the scene within seven minutes of the alert.
Preliminary findings showed that four vehicles were involved in the collision: a Volkswagen Golf (GWA 162 KZ), a Ford Sharon bus (AFN 325 YL), another Volkswagen Golf (ABJ 111 NW), and a Volvo trailer (ANC 665 XA).
The FRSC attributed the accident to excessive speed and loss of control, which led to a chain collision. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the trailer, loaded with coal and belonging to African Natural Resources and Miles Limited, lost control and rammed into an illegal roadside motor park.
“A total of 18 persons were involved in the crash, comprising eight adult males, four adult females, two male children, and four female children,” the statement said.
Of this number, 12 people were confirmed dead, three sustained injuries, while three others escaped unhurt.
The injured victims were taken to Abaji General Hospital for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were released to their families for burial. FRSC officials also carried out first aid, evacuation of wrecked vehicles, and recovery of personal belongings at the scene.
The Motor Traffic Division of the Nigerian Police, Kwali, has taken over investigation of the incident to determine additional factors that may have contributed to the crash.
Reacting to the tragedy, the FCT Sector Commander, Corps Commander Felix Theman, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
He also warned motorists, particularly commercial drivers, against creating illegal roadside loading and off-loading points, noting that such practices endanger passengers, pedestrians, and roadside traders.
“Road users must desist from these unsafe acts to prevent avoidable loss of lives on our highways,” he said.
