The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of 12 people and two others injured in a road crash on Friday along the Ejule–Enugu highway in Kogi State.

Disclosing this while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday, Mr Tenimu Etuku, FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, described the accident as “fatal and very unfortunate,” adding that one of the victims was a child.

According to him, the crash occurred at about 11:30 pm in the Iboko community of Idah Local Government Area and involved an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Romchi Mass Transit.

“The ill-fated bus was travelling from Abuja to the eastern part of the country when it rammed into a parked, faulty articulated vehicle due to over-speeding,” Etuku said.

He noted that his personnel, who carried out the rescue operation, rushed the injured to Mercy of Jesus Hospital, Ejule, for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited in the morgue.

He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated the dangers of excessive speed and reckless overtaking.

“At this yuletide, motorists must be careful and adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations to avoid such accidents and the wastage of precious lives. I believe this is one way to help the FRSC and the Federal Government reduce the alarming rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities in the country.

“I hereby urge drivers to exercise patience and maintain safe driving practices, especially during long-distance journeys this yuletide,” he advised.