The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed has expressed concern over the reckless driving habits of some drivers on Nigerian roads.
Mohammed expressed his displeasure in a statement by the FRSC Spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide in Abuja on Tuesday.
He sympathised with the families of victims of the fatal crashes that occurred on the Lagos/Ibadan expressway.
He said that the fatal crashes occurred at Ajao, opposite Bovas fuel station on the Ojoo/lwo road; as well as that of Malo, both on the Lagos/Ibadan expressway on August 13.
The corps marshal described the accidents as devastating and avoidable, stressing that drivers must imbibe safe road use attributes and discard any temptation to contravene established road traffic regulations.
He added that the Ibadan crash occurred at 09:20 am and involved four vehicles, resulting in 16 deaths and 17 injuries adding that the Malo crash occurred at 03:14 pm and involved a white Mazda bus, resulting in 12 deaths and four injuries.
“The Ibadan crash which occurred at 09:20 am involved four vehicles; a White Mack Truck (AKM 548 ZY) which had a brake failure, lost control and crashed into three other vehicles: a White Nissan Bus (MUB 20 LG), Red Nissan Micra (BDJ 520 YC) and a Blue Honda CRV (KRD 707 ER).
“The Malo fatal crash occurred at exactly 03:14 pm involving a White Mazda Bus (DDA733XA). The driver had indulged in a wrongful overtaking, which made him lose control of the wheels and eventually crash.
“Reports received at the national headquarters show that the Ibadan crash involved 35 people comprising 14 male adults, 10 female adults, six female children, and five male children. From that number, 17 sustained varying degrees of injuries while 16 victims were killed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Malo crash had 16 people involved (12 male adults, three female adults as well as one female child).
“Out of this, 12 victims (8 male adults three female adults and one female child) were killed while the remaining four people (All male adults) were rescued with injuries.
“The injured victims of the Ibadan crash were taken to Amudalat Hospital, Ibadan for medical attention while the dead bodies were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Divisional Office in Ibadan.
“The bodies of the 12 victims killed in the crash have been deposited in FOS Morgue in Ipara,” he said.
Mohammed, however, directed the immediate arrest of the fleeing driver of the articulated vehicle for prosecution.
According to the corps, it was intensifying efforts in its partnership with the Judiciary to ensure that all drivers involved in fatal crashes, would have their licences suspended.
The corps also said that such drivers would be made to face the wrath of the law. (Punch)