FRSC BOSS CONDEMNS RECKLESS DRIVING ON NIGERIAN HIGHWAYS
By Agency Report
Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, has raised worry over some drivers’ hazardous driving practices on Nigerian highways.
Mohammed voiced his disappointment in a statement issued by FRSC Spokesman Olusegun Ogungbemide on Tuesday in Abuja.
He sympathised with the families of victims of the fatal crashes that occurred on the Lagos/Ibadan expressway.
He said that the fatal crashes occurred at Ajao, opposite Bovas fuel station on the Ojoo/lwo road; as well as that of Malo, both on the Lagos/Ibadan expressway on August 13.
The corps marshal called the accidents as sad and preventable, emphasising that drivers must adopt safe driving habits and resist any inclination to violate established road traffic norms.
He further stated that the Ibadan crash occurred at 09:20 a.m. and featured four vehicles, resulting in 16 deaths and 17 injuries, while the Malo crash occurred at 03:14 p.m. and involved a white Mazda bus, resulting in 12 deaths and four injuries.
“The Ibadan crash which occurred at 09:20 am involved four vehicles; a White Mack Truck (AKM 548 ZY) which had a brake failure, lost control and crashed into three other vehicles: a White Nissan Bus (MUB 20 LG), Red Nissan Micra (BDJ 520 YC) and a Blue Honda CRV (KRD 707 ER).
“The Malo fatal crash occurred at exactly 03:14 pm involving a White Mazda Bus (DDA733XA). The driver had indulged in a wrongful overtaking, which made him lose control of the wheels and eventually crash.
“Reports received at the national headquarters show that the Ibadan crash involved 35 people comprising 14 male adults, 10 female adults, six female children, and five male children. From that number, 17 sustained varying degrees of injuries while 16 victims were killed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Malo crash had 16 people involved (12 male adults, three female adults as well as one female child).
“Out of this, 12 victims (8 male adults three female adults and one female child) were killed while the remaining four people (All male adults) were rescued with injuries.
“The injured victims of the Ibadan crash were taken to Amudalat Hospital, Ibadan for medical attention while the dead bodies were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Divisional Office in Ibadan.
“The bodies of the 12 victims killed in the crash have been deposited in FOS Morgue in Ipara,” he said.
However, Mohammed ordered the swift arrest and prosecution of the articulated vehicle’s fleeing driver.
According to the corps, it is stepping its efforts in collaboration with the judiciary to ensure that all drivers involved in deadly crashes have their licenses suspended.
The corps further stated that such drivers would face the consequences of the law.