4 University Students, 3 Others Die in Kogi Road Accident

A fatal accident involving a heavy-duty truck in Kogi State has resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including four students from the Federal University, Lokoja, while another student sustained injuries.

The Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Samuel Oyedeji, shared details of the incident with journalists in Lokoja on Monday, attributing the crash to a brake failure.

According to NAN, the accident led to significant traffic congestion on the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Road, causing delays for travelers for several hours.

Distressed by the loss of their fellow students, university students staged a protest by blocking the highway.

Among the deceased were three female students and one male student, while another male student survived with injuries.

Oyedeji stated that the truck, reportedly coming from the southern region of the country, was heading to Abuja when the crash occurred at Felele along the highway.

He explained that the accident happened around 3:40 p.m. when the truck, which was transporting timber logs, suffered a brake failure, swerved into the opposite lane, and collided with a shuttle bus carrying students from FUL.

The sector commander confirmed that both the shuttle bus driver and another passenger were among those who lost their lives in the crash.

“Our officers, in collaboration with the police and the NSCDC personnel, carried out the rescue operation.

“The injured student has been rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja for medical treatment.

“The seven bodies have been deposited at the mortuary of the same hospital,” Oyedeji stated.

He further revealed that the truck driver fled the scene, possibly to avoid being apprehended.

Oyedeji urged all motorists, particularly drivers of heavy-duty vehicles, to conduct proper checks on their vehicles before any trip to prevent avoidable loss of lives.

The road was eventually reopened following the intervention of Kogi State Police Commissioner, Mr. Miller Dantawaye, State Security Adviser, Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, and the Vice Chancellor of FUL, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi.

These officials addressed the protesting students, appealing to them to remain calm and avoid any actions that could worsen the situation for the public, already grieving over the tragic accident.