Benin City, Edo State – In the early hours of Saturday, a tragic road accident claimed the lives of 12 people in Edo State. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. at Igueoviobo community, near an Army checkpoint along the Benin-Auchi Road. According to the Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Cyril Mathew, the crash involved a Toyota Hiace commercial bus and an articulated truck.
The ill-fated bus, which had departed from Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory and was en route to Benin, collided with the truck, resulting in a fiery explosion that left all passengers on the bus burnt beyond recognition. Miraculously, the truck driver and his conductor managed to escape the accident unscathed.
Preliminary investigations by the FRSC suggest that driver fatigue might have played a significant role in causing the accident, as it occurred during the early morning hours. Commander Mathew emphasized the importance of drivers taking regular breaks to prevent such tragic incidents from happening in the future.
Rescue officials at the scene managed to retrieve the vehicle’s manifest, allowing them to contact the families of the deceased and inform them of the tragic loss.
Mathew stated, “We suspect that driver fatigue might have contributed to the accident. We urge drivers to take breaks whenever they feel fatigued to prevent such tragic incidents.”
The FRSC continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and will implement measures to ensure the safety of all road users in Edo State.
