Worst accident in weeks claims 12 lives in Ilorin

Twelve people are feared dead in a road accident  which occurred on Ilorin-Ogbomoso Road on Saturday.

Mr Jonathan Owoade, Kwara Sector Commander  of the Federal Road Safety Corps, gave the figure to newsmen in Ilorin.

Owoade said that the accident occured at Ote area and involved a white  Toyota Hummer bus without a registration number and a white Volvo trailer also without a registration number.

He blamed the accident on route violation,  speed limit violation and loss of control.

He said that 18 people were involved in the accident and 12 people died while  six got injured.

“This morning, we were informed of the unfortunate crash which occurred on the Ilorin-Ogbomoso Expressway at a location called Ote.

“It was a fatal crash which happened at about 6:20 a.m.; 18 persons were involved, six sustained various degrees of burns and, sadly, 12  lost their lives and were burnt beyond recognition,” Owoade said.

He said that the injured victims and the corpses had been taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

Owoade advised motorists to adhere to road safety rules and regulations and be in the right frame of mind.

“We will keep saying it:  speed thrills but kills.

“We plead with commercial drivers including articulated vehicle drivers to avoid over speeding.

“We all need to be careful while driving; over speeding leads to loss of control, and when these crashes occur, lives are lost.

“We will ensure that, on our own part, we continue to enlighten motorists on road safety precautions.

“We commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives and wish the injured quick recovery,” he said