Nigerians have been cautioned against conveying explosive materials like gas cylinders in passenger vehicles for safety measures, as well as to secure people’s lives and properties while on transit. The warning was given by Corps Marshal Dauda Biu, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in a statement made available by Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, recently in Abuja. Cautioning motorists against excessive speed, so as to avoid crashes while on the road Biu said that the measures were necessary to save lives. The Corp Marshal stated that the warning was in reaction to avoidable road accidents, especially the fatal crash that occurred recently opposite Mat Oil, Ode-Omu Highway, Osogbo, Osun State. The crash involved a white commercial Mazda Bus with registration number APP 834 XT and a white Lexus Jeep registered LSR 304 HW. Sixteen people, including five children were burnt to death while four others survived with severe burns. Biu said that investigation conducted into the crash revealed that it was caused by excessive speed, which led to loss of control. He added that the impact of the crash triggered the gas cylinder being conveyed in the bus to explode and consume 16 lives.
The FRSC boss said that the burnt bodies have been evacuated and deposited at the morgue of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. He added that the evacuation was carried out by FRSC rescue team in collaboration with police personnel from Odeomu Division. Confirming the incident, Mr. Henry Benamesia, Sector Commander, FRSC, said the accident occurred on Friday, April 28, at about 6 p.m., around Mat-Oil area, Ode-Omu Community. According to Benamesia, the accident was caused by excessive speed and lack of adherence to traffic regulations by the two drivers. He said that the accident involved a commercial vehicle, Mazda, with Reg. No. APP 834 XT, and a Lexus Jeep, with Reg. No. LSR 304 HW. He added that the deceased comprised 11 adults and five children, who were burnt beyond recognition and that their remains had been deposited at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital’s morgue in Osogbo. According to him, the FRSC rescue team, in collaboration with other sister-agencies, including the Police from Odeomu Division, carried out the evacuation. He added that the wreckage had since been evacuated to prevent traffic gridlock on the road.
