'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, in response to a tragic accident that occurred in Mairuwa village along the Funtua-Sokoto route in Katsina State, has decried the dangers of inadequate vehicle maintenance and excessive speed, describing the crash as "avoidable and preventable."
The fatal accident, which took place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., involved a Toyota Hiace Bus and a Sino Truck and resulted in the loss of multiple lives.
The incident occurred when the Toyota Hiace Bus, registered as MRR 83 XA and reportedly carrying passengers from Zamfara to southern Nigeria, suffered a tire burst, causing the driver to lose control and collide head-on with a Sino Truck owned by the Dangote Group. According to FRSC reports, the crash involved 28 people, including 23 male adults, one female adult, one male child, and three female children.
The collision resulted in 15 fatalities, comprising 11 male adults, one female adult, and three female children. Thirteen individuals were rescued, including 11 male adults, one female adult, and one male child, all of whom sustained varying injuries. Emergency responders swiftly transported the injured victims to Funtua General Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Speaking on the tragedy, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed strongly condemned the unsafe driving practices that contributed to the accident. He emphasized that if the driver had adhered to legal speed limits, maintained the vehicle properly, and complied with standard traffic regulations, the crash could have been avoided. The Corps Marshal called on all road users to take personal responsibility for their safety, stressing that safe driving behaviors and routine vehicle checks are critical to preventing such incidents in the future.
"The enormous responsibility of keeping the roads safe rests on the shoulders of everyone," stated the Corps Marshal. He urged transport unions, fleet operators, and individual vehicle owners to take proactive measures in educating drivers about the importance of routine and thorough vehicle maintenance. By promoting safe driving practices, he explained, road fatalities could be significantly reduced across Nigeria.
In his address, Corps Marshal Mohammed appealed to drivers and fleet managers to prioritize vehicle maintenance to prevent accidents caused by mechanical failure. He noted that road crashes are often linked to preventable issues like tire bursts, brake failure, and lack of routine servicing. He also encouraged transport unions and regulatory agencies to collaborate in sensitizing drivers about vehicle safety standards, which are essential for ensuring safe travel on Nigerian roads.
The FRSC remains committed to its mandate of making Nigerian roads safer through rigorous enforcement of traffic regulations, routine checks on commercial vehicles, and driver education campaigns. The Corps Marshal stressed that the FRSC will continue to work with transport unions and other stakeholders to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The FRSC’s quick response to the Mairuwa crash highlights the agency’s dedication to minimizing the impact of road accidents. However, the loss of 15 lives has left a profound effect on families and communities, emphasizing the urgent need for heightened road safety measures.
The FRSC urged the public to report unsafe vehicles and reckless driving behaviors as part of a collaborative effort to reduce road accidents and protect lives.
The FRSC calls on the public and stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at improving road safety and vehicle maintenance across Nigeria.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the crucial role that vehicle maintenance and responsible driving play in safeguarding lives on the roads.
