12 die in tragic accident along Benin-Auchi road

A devastating accident claimed the lives of 12 passengers early Saturday morning on the Benin-Auchi highway, when a Toyota Hiace bus collided with a truck, causing the bus to burst into flames.

Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cyril Mathew, confirmed the incident, stating that the crash happened around 5 a.m. near an army checkpoint in Igueoviobo community.

According to Mathew, the bus had departed Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and was heading to Benin when it collided with a truck traveling toward Auchi.

“The entire occupants of the bus were killed in the crash. The accident likely resulted from fatigue, as the driver may have dozed off, leading to the collision,” he said.

The impact of the crash ignited a fire, leaving no chance to rescue the passengers. However, Mathew noted that the FRSC was able to identify the victims through the vehicle’s manifest and had reached out to their families.

He added that the truck driver and his assistant, commonly referred to as the “Motor Boy,” escaped without injuries.

The FRSC commander reiterated the importance of drivers taking breaks on long journeys, emphasizing that resting when tired can help prevent such heartbreaking incidents.