The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has stopped with immediate effect transportation of human beings on top of goods in trailers.
A statement by Jonas Agwu, Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, today said that Dauda Biu, the Corps Marshal, FRSC, gave the directive following an avoidable road traffic crash that occurred on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Abuja yesterday, Monday, March 18, 2024.
The crash, which involved a DAF trailer, occurred as a result of excessive speed, overloading and fatigue to the driver.
Reports from the crash also revealed that it occurred at exactly 10:30hrs and involved a total of 172 people, all male adults.
Ten of the occupants in the trailer died instantly, while 48 victims were rescued with different degrees of injuries.
The statement hinted that Biu has therefore mandated all Sector Commanders to strengthen enforcement and advocacy campaigns nationwide.
The crash, which involved a DAF trailer, the statement said occurred as a result of excessive speed, overloading and fatigue to the driver.
Agwu emphasised that the fatigue to the driver made him to lose control of the wheels, thereby crashing into a ditch along the route.
The statement added: “Report from the crash also revealed that it occurred at exactly 10:30HRS and involved a total of 172 people, all male adults. Unfortunately, 10 victims were killed, while 48 victims were rescued with different degrees of injuries
“On the strength of the rising spate of this bad road use behaviour, the Corps Marshal has directed Commanding Officers to commence with immediate effect, result oriented patrol operations, as well as organise adequate Mobile Court operations along critical corridors.”
Agwu added that FRSC rescue team has concluded evacuation of the injured victims to Saint Anthony and Umaru Musa Yar Adua hospitals, while the killed passengers were deposited at the morgue of the aforementioned hospitals as well.
He added that efforts were still ongoing by FRSC operatives to follow up on the injured victims in the hospitals to ensure they receive necessary medical attention.
