• State govt announces road safety protocols
The tragic loss of seven lives, including four students of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), in an auto crash on Monday has sparked outrage among stakeholders in Kogi State.
The accident occurred in the Felele area of Lokoja, the state capital, along the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene highway.
Eyewitnesses said the crash, which happened around 3:40 p.m., involved a shuttle bus carrying FUL students and a timber-laden articulated vehicle.
The Kogi Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Samuel Oyedeji, confirmed that the truck’s brakes failed, causing it to veer into the opposite lane and collide with the students’ bus.
The accident has reignited concerns over road safety in the ever-busy Felele area, which houses major institutions like FUL, Kogi State Polytechnic, and the Lokoja Central Market.
Stakeholders have blamed the recurring tragedies on poor urban planning, inadequate traffic management, and reckless driving.
Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, called for stricter traffic regulations and enhanced safety measures to protect students. He described the crash as preventable, attributing it to “poor road design and negligence” and urged drivers to comply with traffic regulations.
All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, extended his condolences to the victims’ families and called for a comprehensive solution to the recurring accidents on Felele Road. He proposed infrastructure improvements, traffic enforcement, and public awareness campaigns as measures to address the crisis.
Similarly, Olayinka Braimoh, a former governorship candidate, blamed the incident on flawed urban planning. Chief Femi Ajisafe, a former General Manager of Research, Planning and Environment at the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), also emphasised the need for an innovative redesign of the road near FUL’s gate.
Dr Tunde Olusunle, a fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, advocated for a designated motor park at the university’s entrance to reduce congestion. Segun Aiyedogbon, a member of the Okun Patriots Social Media Group, called for legislative action to prevent further loss of lives along the Felele axis.
In a statement, Kogi State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, expressed condolences and described the incident as “heart-rendering.”
He disclosed that Governor Usman Ododo has directed the State Ministry of Works to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works to enforce speed limits on the road near FUL. The governor also instructed the State Security Adviser and Commissioner for Transportation to regulate the movement of heavy trucks during active hours.
Fanwo urged all road users to exercise caution and assured that the state government would work with FUL to enhance safety measures.
“Our hearts are with the families of the victims. May God strengthen them in this dark hour,” he said.
