13 persons have been confirmed dead while two others were injured in an accident in Kogi State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Kogi State Samuel Oyedeji, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the accident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Oyedeji disclosed that the accident involving a commercial Sharon Bus and an articulated Cement Truck occurred along Obajana-Lokoja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The FRSC sector commander said the Sharon bus had packed behind a truck around the Obajana Market along the road for passengers to buy some things when the cement truck lost its brake and rammed into it from behind.

He said: “As soon as the truck rammed into the bus, it immediately went into flame and burnt virtually all the passengers inside it.

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“Also burnt were the bus, two trucks, and a motorcycle.”

The FRSC official added that the bus was heading to Abuja from the southern part of the country.

Oyedeji stated: “Our personnel, who were on rescue operations with Red Cross Nigeria and police officers, couldn’t save the situation due to the fierceness of the fire.

“But the charred remains of the affected persons were collected while the two injured persons have been taken to Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, for medical attention.”

Oyedeji expressed worry that no hospital in Kogi State agreed to take the charred bodies for keep, which he said might force the authorities to give them a massive burial if no relation came around.

The sector commander, who described the incident as unfortunate, warned motorists against speeding and poor maintenance of their vehicles.

According to him, motorists should always check their vehicles to ensure everything is in order before embarking on a journey to avoid road crashes.

The Star