A tragic road accident in Nigeria’s Kwara State has claimed the lives of at least 15 people and left 17 others injured after a truck driver reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel, causing a devastating crash in the early hours of Monday.
The fatal incident occurred at about 2:32 a.m. along the Ogbomoso–Oko Olowo section of the busy Ilorin–Jebba Expressway near the Muslim Cemetery in Ilorin.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the crash involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL274XC. Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver lost control of the heavily loaded truck after reportedly falling asleep while driving.
The trailer veered off the road before its container detached from the truck’s head. The massive load crashed onto passengers who were reportedly travelling on top of the goods, leading to multiple fatalities at the scene.
A total of 48 male occupants were involved in the accident. Fifteen people died instantly, while 17 others sustained injuries ranging from fractures and dislocations to bruises. Sixteen passengers escaped without injuries.
FRSC Sector Commander for Kwara State, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, confirmed the incident and identified the driver as Nasiru Mohammed.
He said injured victims were rushed to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for urgent medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were released to their families and the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo in Moro Local Government Area.
Kazeem added that rescue workers continued searching for additional victims believed to be trapped beneath the fallen cargo. The operation was carried out jointly by personnel from the FRSC Oloru Unit and the Oko Olowo Outpost.
Following the tragedy, the FRSC renewed its warning against dangerous road practices, especially transporting passengers on top of goods, mixed loading of cargo and people, and overnight journeys.
The agency said it would intensify public awareness campaigns and engage transport operators and community leaders to promote safer road travel and prevent similar tragedies.
The latest crash adds to the growing number of fatal highway accidents in Nigeria, once again raising concerns over road safety, driver fatigue, and the enforcement of transport regulations across the country.
