A ghastly multiple car crash that occured at Gada Biyu, along the Yangoji–Abuja (YGJ–ABJ) corridor has claimed the lives of 12 persons.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the crash occurred at about 11:45am on Sunday, January 11, 2026 and was likely caused by speed violation and dangerous driving leading to loss of control.
TheFact Daily notes that FRSC has repeatedly highlighted that driving above legal speed limits is one of the leading causes of road traffic crashes and fatalities in Nigeria, and stressed that speeding reduces driver reaction time, increases stopping distance, and makes controlling a vehicle harder — all leading to more accidents.
Also, the Corps have vowed to enforce traffic laws against overspeeding seriously with such measures as prosecution of drivers caught speeding, sanctions for traffic offenders under the law and special patrols and operations to catch speed limit violators among others.
Ogungbemide explained that the crash involved four vehicles: one commercial trailer conveying coal, one commercial bus, and two commercial cars, adding that according to preliminary investigations, the truck driver was driving at an excessive speed beyond the legally prescribed limit for the corridor, lost control, and crashed into already parked vehicles, triggering the fatal collision.
“A total of 18 persons were involved in the crash, comprising 8 adult males, 4 adult females, 2 male children, and 4 female children. Five victims died instantly at the scene, while seven others, who were successfully rescued and conveyed to the hospital, later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total number of fatalities to twelve”, Ogungbemide said.
He said 3 other victims sustained injuries of varying severity, including bruises, cuts, fractures, and head injuries, and are currently receiving medical attention at Abaji General Hospital while the deceased were released to their families for burial in line with established procedures, even as the Motor Traffic Division (MTD), Kwali, has taken over the investigation to determine further liabilities.
Reacting to the incident, the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, commiserated with the families of the deceased and described the crash as both tragic and avoidable. He cautioned motorists, particularly drivers of heavy duty vehicles against speeding and reckless driving, emphasising that strict adherence to speed limits and traffic regulations remains critical to saving lives.
