A tragic road accident along the Tafa–Gujeni route in Niger State has claimed the lives of ten persons, with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributing the incident to excessive speeding and illegal mixed loading.
The fatal crash occurred at about 8:20 a.m. on Monday at Malam Tanko, within the Tafa axis, under the operational jurisdiction of the FRSC RS7.26A Tafa Outpost. The accident involved a DAF tanker with registration number FKY136XD, which was reportedly conveying 33 male occupants.
According to preliminary findings by the FRSC, ten persons died in the crash, while 20 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Three occupants were rescued unhurt.
The Corps said the vehicle lost control due to excessive speed. It further condemned the unlawful practice of transporting passengers alongside goods commonly referred to as mixed loading describing it as a major contributor to the severity of the crash.
FRSC operatives responded swiftly to the emergency, rescued 23 victims and cleared the road to restore traffic flow. The injured were taken to Umar Musa General Hospital in Sabon Wuse for treatment, while the remains of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
Reacting to the incident, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the crash as avoidable and a painful consequence of disregard for road safety regulations. He stressed that no journey is worth the loss of human lives and warned motorists against violating established traffic rules.
Mohammed reiterated the Corps’ commitment to intensifying enforcement and public awareness campaigns aimed at curbing speeding and eliminating mixed loading on Nigerian roads.
He also urged transport operators and drivers to adhere strictly to safety guidelines, maintain speed limits, and avoid using unsuitable vehicles for passenger transport.
The FRSC extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery, while calling on all road users to remain vigilant and uphold safety standards at all times.
