By Thompson Yamput.
Lokoja – The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 324 persons died and 1, 706 others sustained varying degrees of injury in road crashes in Kogi State in 2022.
Stephen Dawulung, Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander of FRSC disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that the deaths and injuries were recorded in 458 road crashes that occurred in different parts of the state from January to December 2022.
“Out of the total cases of 458 auto crashes, 5, 161 people were involved leaving 324 persons dead and 1, 706 injured.
“To us as a corps, the casualty and the rate of crashes within that year are very high and unacceptable, but that’s the reality facing us today.
“We aren’t happy with the outcome of the report looking at the enormity of sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns we carried out during the period under review.
“Of course, we have to blame this on the recklessness of the motorists, some of who continually refused to heed to traffic rules and regulations to safety,” he said.
The sector commander called on motorists to always ensure the road worthiness of their vehicles before embarking on journey and always drive with care on the highways.
“This year 2023, my Command will continue carrying out enforcements and enlightenment programmes against speed violation, overloading and mixed loading of goods and passengers, especially in trucks and other vehicles meant to convey only goods,” he said.
Dawulung also advised motorists to exhibit high level of discipline and adhere strictly to road traffic regulations to avoid such ugly incidents.
(NAN)
