22 Lives Lost in Separate Road Crashes in Abuja-Kaduna

By Tgnews Reporter

In a devastating weekend of road accidents, a total of 22 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured in two separate crashes along major highways in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kaduna State, raising fresh alarms over road safety, reckless driving, and inadequate enforcement in Nigeria.

The deadliest incident occurred on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Gada-Biyu village along the Abuja–Lokoja highway in the FCT. A coal-laden truck traveling at high speed from the Lokoja direction suddenly lost control and veered off the road, slamming into bystanders and vehicles at an informal roadside waiting area.

According to the FCT Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Felix Theman, the crash happened around 11:47 a.m. and involved four vehicles: the runaway truck, an 18-seater Sharon bus, and two Volkswagen Golf cars. Twelve people died instantly—comprising four adult males, two adult females, four male children, and two female children—many of whom were local residents of Gada-Biyu waiting to board vehicles.

Three others sustained injuries and were rushed to Abaji General Hospital for treatment. The truck driver and his conductor reportedly fled the scene to evade possible mob retaliation.

The FRSC handed over the 12 corpses to their families for burial in Gada-Biyu. Commander Theman attributed the tragedy to speed limit violation, loss of control, and dangerous driving. He revealed that this marked the second reported incident involving a truck from the same company; African Natural Resources and Mines Limited—along the Abuja–Lokoja corridor. The sector command plans to meet with the company’s management to address recurring safety lapses.

In response, the FRSC has directed its Yangoji Unit to relocate motorists parking roadside to pick up passengers to safer designated spots, aiming to prevent similar bystander fatalities.

In a separate but equally tragic crash, the FRSC Kaduna State Sector Command confirmed that 10 people died and four were injured along the Kachia-Jaba Road in Kaduna State. The accident occurred on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Kwaturu town, involving a Tundra Hilux (registration KWL 212 TS) and a commercial Volkswagen Golf (AU 688 DAL).

Assistant Public Relations Officer Usman Garba explained that a tyre burst triggered the multiple-vehicle collision, claiming nine lives at the scene. Five injured victims were rescued and taken to Kachia General Hospital, where one later succumbed to injuries, bringing the death toll to 10. The bodies have been deposited at the hospital mortuary.

These back-to-back incidents have intensified calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved vehicle maintenance, and the elimination of illegal roadside parks that expose vulnerable road users to danger.

The FRSC continues to urge motorists to adhere to speed limits, ensure vehicle roadworthiness, and avoid reckless maneuvers, especially on high-risk corridors like Abuja–Lokoja and rural highways in the North-Central region.

The twin tragedies serve as a grim reminder of Nigeria’s persistent road safety challenges, with authorities vowing intensified patrols and public sensitization campaigns to curb preventable deaths on the nation’s highways.