Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Dauda Biu has cautioned trailers against conveying human beings on top of goods in their vehicles.
He also mandated Sector Commanders to strengthen enforcement and advocacy campaigns against the practice nationwide.
According to a statement by Corps Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu, the Corps Marshal, was reacting to the avoidable road traffic crash that occurred on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway on March 18, 2024.
No fewer than 10 passengers were killed in a lone traffic accident involving a DAF trailer on Abuja-Kaduna expressway, while 48 sustained injuries.
According to Agwu, the driver lost control of the wheels and crashed into a ditch at about 10:30hrs with all the 172 male passengers aboard the trailer.
The statement said: “The crash which involved a DAF Trailer occurred as a result of excessive speed, overloading and fatigue.
This made the driver to loose control of the wheels thereby crashing into a ditch along the route.
Report from the crash also revealed that it occurred at exactly 1030HRS and involved a total of 172 people all male adults. Unfortunately, 10 victims were killed while 48 victims were rescued with different degrees of injuries.
“On the strength of the rising spate of this bad road use behaviour, the Corps Marshal has directed Commanding Officers to commence with immediate effect, result oriented patrol operations, as well as organize adequate Mobile Court operations alone critical corridors.
“At press time, FRSC rescue team have concluded evacuation of the injured victims to Saint Anthony and Umaru Musa Yar Adua hospitals while the killed passengers were deposited at the morgue of the aforementioned hospitals as well.
“Efforts are still ongoing by FRSC Operatives to follow up on the injured victims in the hospitals to ensure they receive necessary medical attention,” the statement added.
