15 killed, 17 injured in fatal auto crash on Kwara highway

By Ahmed Olayinka

No fewer than 15 persons have been confirmed dead, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a devastating lone trailer accident along the Ogbomoso-Oloru Highway at the Oko-Olowo axis of Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

The tragic crash occurred around 2:32 a.m. on Monday near the Muslim Cemetery in Oko-Olowo.

The accident involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC, reportedly driven by Nasiru Muhammed.

According to a situation report released by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara Sector Command, the trailer was conveying 48 male occupants at the time of the incident.

The report disclosed that 15 passengers died instantly, while 17 others suffered serious injuries, including fractures, dislocations and bruises.

Sixteen occupants escaped the crash without injuries.

The FRSC attributed the accident to driver fatigue, revealing that rescue personnel arrived at the scene within five minutes after receiving the distress alert.

THE PRIME NEWS reports that the injured victims were immediately evacuated to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for medical treatment, while the remains of the deceased were released to their families and the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko-Olowo for burial.

In a statement issued in Ilorin on Monday, the Public Education Officer of the FRSC Kwara Sector Command, Taofeek Sanusi, said the rescue operation was jointly conducted by officers from the Oloru Unit Command and the Oko-Olowo Outpost.

He added that emergency responders continued search efforts for additional victims believed to be trapped beneath the trailer’s cargo.

Reacting to the incident, Kazeem assured that the command would strengthen its public sensitisation campaigns through town hall meetings and stakeholder engagements to promote road safety awareness.

He also urged motorists to avoid night journeys and the practice of mixed loading, warning that driver fatigue remains one of the major causes of fatal road traffic crashes across the country.