Truck loses control, kills 12 along Abuja–Lokoja highway

At least 12 people lost their lives while three others sustained injuries on Sunday when a truck ploughed into pedestrians at Gada-Biyu village along the Abuja–Lokoja highway.

The incident was confirmed by the Federal Capital Territory Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Felix Theman,  on Sunday evening.

According to Theman, the crash occurred around 11:47 a.m. and involved a truck, an 18-seater Sharon bus and two Volkswagen Golf cars.

He explained that the truck, which was conveying coal and travelling at high speed from the Lokoja axis, lost control, left the roadway and struck bystanders who were standing by the roadside.

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Theman disclosed that 12 victims died instantly. They included four adult males, two adult females, four male children and two female children. He added that some of those killed were residents of Gada-Biyu who had been waiting to board vehicles.

Three other individuals sustained varying injuries and were taken to Abaji General Hospital for medical attention.

The sector commander said both the driver of the truck and his conductor absconded from the scene immediately after the crash, apparently to escape mob action.

He further stated that the remains of the deceased had been handed over to their families for burial at Gada-Biyu.

Theman attributed the cause of the crash to excessive speed, loss of control and dangerous driving by the truck driver.

He revealed that the FRSC would engage the management of the transport company involved, noting that the incident marked the second crash linked to the same truck along the Abuja–Lokoja highway.

The sector commander also disclosed that the FRSC had instructed its Yangoji Unit Command to relocate motorists who stop by the roadside at Gada-Biyu to pick up passengers to safer areas.