A devastating auto crash on the Kaduna-Abuja highway has claimed the lives of 18 people, with 27 others sustaining injuries, according to the latest update from the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kaduna Sector Command.

The Sector Commander, Mr. Kabir Nadabo, confirmed the grim statistics in an update to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The initial report, shared in the early hours of Sunday, indicated that 16 people had lost their lives in the collision that occurred at 05:20 am on the highway near Audu Jangon hamlet.

However, investigations by the FRSC revealed that the crash resulted from speeding and overloading of cargo and passengers.

“Our investigation of the incident has revealed that 65 people were involved in the crash, 27 got injured and 18 were deceased,” explained Nadabo.

According to Nadabo, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC has formed additional formations across the country in recent years to ensure a swift response to road traffic crashes, particularly in critical corridors of the country.