Twelve people have died in a tragic road accident along the Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The incident occurred at Doka Village in Southern Kaduna and involved two overloaded Volkswagen Golf cars. Fourteen people were traveling in the vehicles — eight males and six females — with twelve losing their lives and two sustaining serious injuries. FRSC Sector Commander in Kaduna, Mr Andrew Paul Longkam, confirmed the details during a post-incident briefing.
The accident happened when a tyre burst on one of the vehicles, leading to a loss of control and a collision. Both vehicles were severely overloaded, violating traffic safety regulations. The blue Volkswagen Golf had registration number APP 394 FN, while the red one was registered as ACN 205 HK. All eight males and four females among the passengers perished in the crash. Two female survivors are currently receiving medical attention at Rapha Hospital after being evacuated from the scene.
Longkam emphasized that none of the occupants, including the two drivers, were wearing seat belts or using any form of protective gear at the time of the crash. This lack of safety measures significantly worsened the outcome of the incident. He also stressed the importance of adhering to vehicle capacity limits and mandatory seat belt use to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Idon General Hospital for identification and preservation pending contact with their families. Authorities are working to notify next of kin and ensure proper procedures are followed. The FRSC has urged motorists to exercise caution, especially on rural roads where maintenance and safety infrastructure may be lacking.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Nigeria, particularly regarding overloading and non-compliance with basic safety protocols. Despite repeated warnings and campaigns by the FRSC, many drivers continue to ignore regulations that could save lives. The Kaduna-Kachia Road remains a high-risk corridor due to poor road conditions and frequent reckless driving.
As investigations continue, the FRSC is calling for increased public awareness and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unsafe driving practices and the urgent need for nationwide road safety reforms.
Leave a Comment