Tragedy struck on the Zaria-Kano Expressway as a fatal road crash resulted in the loss of 12 lives and left 28 individuals injured, according to Mr. Kabir Nadabo, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kaduna State Sector Commander.
The harrowing incident occurred at Tashar Yari village around 7:36 am on Monday, as revealed by Nadabo in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Nadabo disclosed that a trailer with registration number KTG 454 ZZ, en route to Kano, was involved in the crash, attributing the cause to wrongful overtaking, speeding, and overloading, factors that tragically contributed to the high casualty toll.
The Sector Commander further noted the presence of the Chairman of Makarfi Local Government and the Unit Commander, Tashar Yari, at the scene to assess the situation.
In the aftermath of the crash, investigations unveiled that 40 individuals were implicated, with 28 sustaining injuries and 12 losing their lives. The injured were promptly transported to Makarfi General Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Expressing regret over the avoidable incident, Nadabo emphasized the imperative of ongoing efforts to engage transport unions in raising awareness about the hazards of reckless driving practices, including speeding, overloading, dangerous maneuvers, and distracted driving such as the use of cellphones.
The FRSC in Kaduna reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with transport stakeholders and the media to promote road safety advocacy and education. Nadabo urged motorists to prioritize safe driving habits, particularly when traversing the highways, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in averting future tragedies.