This tragic incident occurred at Obajana Market along the Obajana-Lokoja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State. At least 13 individuals lost their lives, while two others sustained injuries in an auto crash that happened around 7:30 pm on a Sunday.

According to Mr. Samuel Oyedeji, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi State, the accident involved a commercial Volkswagen Sharan minivan en route to Abuja from the southern part of the country. The minivan had parked behind a truck in the market to allow passengers to make purchases when a cement truck lost its brake and collided with it from behind.

The impact caused the minivan to burst into flames, resulting in severe casualties. Despite the efforts of rescue teams comprising FRSC personnel, Red Cross Nigeria, and police officers, they were unable to save the victims due to the intensity of the fire. The minivan, two trucks, and a motorcycle were also engulfed in the blaze.

The charred remains of the deceased were recovered from the scene, while the two injured individuals were taken to Fisayo Hospital in Obajana for medical treatment. However, it was lamentable that no hospital in Kogi State was willing to accommodate the charred remains of the victims, potentially leading to a mass burial if relatives did not claim them.

Mr. Oyedeji emphasized the importance of motorists maintaining their vehicles properly and adhering to speed limits to prevent such tragic accidents. He urged drivers to conduct thorough checks on their vehicles before embarking on journeys to minimize the risk of road crashes.

The incident was described as “very sad and unfortunate,” highlighting the need for increased road safety awareness and compliance with regulations to prevent similar tragedies