Recent road accidents at Gaya Junction in Kano State and Tashar Yari in Kaduna State have resulted in the loss of 18 lives.
The incidents have spurred the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu, to denounce the use of substandard tires and reckless speeding by drivers across Nigerian roads.
In a statement released by the corps spokesperson, Jonas Agwu, on Friday, Biu urged motorists to prioritize safety and adhere to traffic regulations.
Reports submitted to the Corps Marshal indicate that the crash at Gaya Junction, involving a Toyota Hiace bus and a Hijet bus with license plates KTG 190 XB and KTG 501YG respectively, was attributed to speeding and a tire burst.
This collision resulted in injuries to 16 people and claimed the lives of 12 individuals, including the driver.
On the other hand, the Tashan Yari crash on Thursday involved a group of 57 individuals, with six fatalities and 30 injuries.
The acciden, involving a trailer that lost control, was caused by speeding and the use of worn-out tires.
“The crash at Gaya Junction involved two vehicles – a Toyota Hiace Bus and a Hijet bus with the license plates KTG 190 XB & KTG 501YG respectively.
“Investigations revealed that the Gaya crash, resulting from speeding and a tire burst, affected 28 people including 17 adult males, five adult females, two male children, and four female children.
” Out of these, 16 victims sustained injuries – five adult males, five adult females, two male children, and four female children, while 12 individuals, including the driver, lost their lives.
“Conversely, the Tashan Yari crash involved 57 individuals, comprising 30 adult males, 22 adult females, and 5 female children. Among them, 30 were injured – 12 adult males, 15 adult females, and three female children, with six adult males losing their lives.
“The tragic incident, which involved a trailer, was due to speeding and the use of worn-out tires that led to loss of control,” Agwu explained.
The injured were quickly taken to Gaya General Hospital and General Hospital Makarfi for treatment, while the deceased were transferred to the appropriate hospital facilities.
The Corps Marshal has directed Commanding Officers to increase efforts in enforcing compliance with traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.