A tragic accident on Saturday morning claimed the lives of 12 passengers along the Benin-Auchi highway in Edo State.
The crash, which happened around 5am at Igueoviobo community near an army checkpoint, involved a Toyota Hiace bus and a truck.
Confirming the incident, the Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cyril Mathew, said the bus was heading to Benin from Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory when it collided with an oncoming truck travelling to Auchi.
“The entire occupants of the bus were killed in the crash,” Mathew said.
He explained that the accident was likely caused by fatigue, adding that the bus driver may have dozed off, leading to the collision.
Following the impact, the bus went up in flames, making it impossible to rescue the passengers.
According to Mathew, the FRSC identified the deceased using the vehicle’s manifest and had already contacted their families.
He further stated that the truck driver and his assistant, commonly known as the “Motor Boy,” survived the crash without injuries.
The FRSC commander urged drivers to avoid driving while tired, advising them to stop and rest during long journeys to prevent such tragic accidents.
