Two separate auto crashes on Monday left one person dead while six others escaped death with various degrees of injury in Kogi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a collision between a Tricycle and a motorcycle rider, otherwise known as “Okada” flung the Okada rider in front of an oncoming articulated vehicle, which instantly crushed him to death within the Lokoja metropolis.
Kogi FRSC Sector Commander, Stephen Dawulung, who confirmed the incident said the body of the Okada rider had been deposited at the Morgue of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja.
Dawulung described the incident as unfortunate as it left no little chance for the deceased to escape the oncoming truck when he fell off his motorcycle.
He lamented the reckless attitude of both the tricycle and motorcycle riders on the state’s highways that caused the death and injury of many innocent people.
“Most times you see them competing on the roads for no just cause but only to put their lives and those of their passengers at risk.
“The result of such bad road usage has always been auto crashes and jeopardising lives,” the commander said.
The Sector Commander commiserated with the family of the victim and advised motorcyclists to adhere to stipulated speed limits, avoid contests with other vehicles and observe safety protocols such as the use of helmets.
Dawulung said the six persons that escaped death were not left without injuries when their vehicle lost control and somersaulted.
“My officers, who were at hand shortly after the incident, rushed the victims to the hospital for medical treatment,” he said.
He said the incident, which happened at Navy base checking point Banda, along Koton Karfe -Lokoja road, in the evening of Monday was a result of speeding.
The sector commander warned motorists against non-observance of traffic rules and regulations and speeding in the rainy season when brakes are hardly effective.
“With the onset of the rains, road surfaces are normally slippery. This situation is normally complicated by poor visibility when driving in the rain.
“Drivers should therefore avoid speed to enable them to have firm control over their vehicles at emergency times,” he admonished.
- NAN