17 Person were killed, and 4 others sustained various degrees of injury in an auto crash on Kwali-Abaji Road close to Awawa in the Federal Capital Territory.
Confirming the incident in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, the Road Safety Corps spokesman, Bisi Kazeem, said the crash occurred at about 6:30 a.m. and involved two vehicles – a DAF Trailer with registration number BAU 632 XA, and a Toyota Bus with registration number GME 201 ZU.
Mr. Kazeem explained that the 22 persons involved in the accident were all males, adding that the injured victims were provided first aid treatment by corps Emergency team before they were taken to Abaji General Hospital. He said the 17 dead bodies have been at the morgue
“Out of 22 victims, four persons sustained various degrees of injury, 17 died while one was rescued without any injury.
“Investigations revealed that the crash happened because of speed limit violations and fatigue,” he said.
The acting corps marshal, Dauda Biu, advised drivers against violating the prescribed speed limit.
He said crash investigations over the years have revealed that over speeding is responsible for major crashes in Nigeria.
Mr Biu also attributed the fatigue to the driver’s inability to observe adequate rest after a night-long trip.
According to him, drivers’ attitudes necessitated the sensitisation and subsequent enforcement of compulsory installation of speed-limiting devices.
Mr Biu, therefore, urged drivers to avoid night trips and always observe 30 minutes rest after every four hours drive to prevent highway accidents.
He also urged them to desist from compromising road traffic regulations.
The acting corps marshal assured the public that the corps would step up operational activities to check traffic accidents.
NAN