Seventeen persons were confirmed killed in a ghastly motor accident at Irepene, along the Abuja-Lokoja highway in Northcentral State of Kogi.
The accident, which sources said occurred about 5.am on Tuesday, was between a Toyota Hiase and a luxurious bus with many passengers and they were heading towards opposite directions when the accident occurred.
It was further learnt that while 15 persons died on the spot, two others who sustained different degrees of injuries died after being taken to the hospital.
The Kogi State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp, (FRSC), Solomon Agure, who confirmed the incident, “the Toyota Hiase was going down to Auchi, Edo State and the Luxurious bus was coming from Okene axis.
“The Luxurious [bus] overtook a car and lost control.
“Of course it was night, so he came and hit the smaller Toyota bus pushing it into the bush.
“The vehicle somersaulted, and 15 people died on the spot and two later died in the hospital.”
He, however, advised motorists to reduce their speed, avoid night travel and always plan their journey, stressing that, while travelling, they should avoid dangerous overtaking.
“It is very important for motorists to obey the speed limit which is 90 with commercial vehicles and 100 with private vehicles,” he stated.
Agure said the command had deployed no fewer than 522 personnel to ensure free flow of traffic during this yuletide season.
The sector commander further hinted that more officers were expected from neighboring Ekiti and Kwara States to support the command for a hitch free Christmas celebration in the state.