In the aftermath of a tragic incident on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway resulting in the loss of 18 lives in a crash involving an articulated vehicle, Mr. Dauda Biu, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, has issued a directive to impound vehicles simultaneously transporting humans and animals.
Beyond the unfortunate fatalities, 27 other passengers suffered injuries in the accident, which had a total of 65 individuals on board.
The collision transpired around 5:20 am, as the driver of the overloaded articulated vehicle, carrying both goods and passengers at a high speed, lost control, leading to the vehicle veering off the road and into a ditch on the highway.
“To reverse the trend, all Sector Commanders are to set up joint task forces to impound trailers and trucks carrying humans and animals. The courts should prosecute the drivers,” Biu said in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem.
Kazeem added that Biu instructed sector commanders to set up joint task forces in collaboration with sister agencies to conduct special operations to end the practice.
Biu noted that it was necessary for agencies like the police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Army, and Vehicle Inspection Officers, among others, to collaborate and curb the menace.
He described Sunday’s accident as avoidable, while decrying the nonchalant attitude of drivers who disregard simple traffic rules.
