Ilorin – At least 15 people died and 17 others sustained injuries in the early hours of Monday when a trailer driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing a serious lone accident on the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway in Kwara State.
The fatal crash occurred around 2:32 a.m. along the Ogbomoso-Oko Olowo route near the Muslim cemetery. The vehicle, a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL274XC, veered off the road, detached from its head, and spilled its heavy load onto passengers riding on top of the cargo.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a total of 48 people, all males were involved in the incident. While 16 persons escaped unhurt, 17 others suffered varying degrees of injury, including fractures, dislocations, and bruises. The injured victims were promptly conveyed to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment.
FRSC Sector Commander in Kwara, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, confirmed the casualty figures and identified the driver as Nasiru Mohammed. He said the deceased had been handed over to their family representatives and the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo in Moro Local Government Area. Rescue teams were still searching for possible additional victims trapped under the fallen loads.
The joint rescue operation was carried out by personnel from FRSC RS8.15 Oloru and RS8.1 Kwara (Oko Olowo outpost). In response to the tragedy, the FRSC commander announced plans to intensify public enlightenment campaigns through town hall meetings with stakeholders. He urged motorists to avoid mixed loading and night travelling, practices he described as highly risky on the nation’s highways.
The accident is the latest in a series of road crashes linked to driver fatigue and overloading, raising renewed concerns about safety standards on major routes in the North-Central region.
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