The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi reports that eight schoolchildren were rescued safely after a 40-foot articulated container fell on two vehicles in Lokoja on Thursday.
On Thursday, the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr. Samuel Oyedeji, told NAN in Lokoja about the situation.
Oyedeji stated that the incident occurred at Lokongoma market in the Lokoja metropolis at 5.30 p.m.
According to eyewitnesses, the truck had a brake failure and was rolling backwards, but luck smiled on the children when another car, a Corolla with registration number Kogi LMA 190 AA, parked in front of Adama Shop, preventing the reversing truck from climbing the car occupied by the children, and the container fell on both cars.
It was reported that all eight students were successfully rescued out of the car without injury.
The schoolchildren were returning from their graduation ceremony in a Mitsubishi Car with registration number Abuja RSH 242 FH, and their minders made a stopover for some shopping while the students were in the car.
Following the disaster, the Kogi State government announced that the truck driver will be prosecuted for failing to attach the container onto the truck.
Folashde Arike Ayoade, the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, gave a hint when she visited the accident scene with other government officials, including Kingsley Fanwo, the Information Commissioner, and Jerry Omadara, the State Security Adviser.
“The driver will be made to account for his actions for failing to do the right thing,” Ayoade said.
The SGS, who was full of praise to God and the people who helped to rescue the children, said that the driver of the truck would be prosecuted for violating the law on latching the container onto the truck to prevent it from falling.
“I want to thank God most sincerely for sparing the lives of the children, these are children coming from their graduation ceremony and looking forward to starting their long holiday.
“I also want to, on behalf of the state government, thank everyone who was involved in the rescue operation; it shows that Kogites are kind people, and the state government really appreciate everyone for this,” she said.
Jerry Omadara, the state Security Adviser, echoed SGS’s viewpoint, stating that the driver would not be unpunished for failing to follow state legislation.
“We have warned repeatedly that every container should be latched onto the back of the truck carrying them, just like the SGS has said, he will be prosecuted,” he stated.
Sunday Samuel Oyedeji, Sector Commander of the state Federal Road Safety Corp, blamed the accident on brake failure. To avoid accidents, he advised drivers to always do a thorough inspection of their vehicles before driving.