Ten people have died in a preventable road crash along the Tafa axis of Niger State, with authorities blaming excessive speed and the illegal practice of conveying passengers with goods.
The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the incident occurred on Monday, March 23, 2026, at about 8:20 a.m. on the Tafa–Gujeni route at Malam Tanko, within the operational coverage of RS7.26A Tafa Outpost.
The crash involved a DAF tanker with registration number FKY136XD carrying 33 male occupants. Preliminary findings show that 10 persons died, 20 sustained varying degrees of injuries, while three were rescued unhurt.
Investigations indicate that excessive speed led to loss of control. More troubling, however, was that the vehicle was engaged in mixed loading—an illegal and dangerous practice the Corps has repeatedly warned against due to its often fatal consequences.
FRSC operatives responded swiftly to the scene, rescuing 23 victims and clearing the road to restore traffic flow. The injured were taken to Umar Musa General Hospital in Sabon Wuse for treatment, while the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the crash as avoidable and condemned the continued disregard for road safety regulations, stressing that no journey is worth the loss of lives.
He added that the Corps would intensify enforcement and public awareness campaigns to tackle speeding and eliminate mixed loading on highways nationwide, urging drivers and transport operators to comply strictly with safety rules.
The Corps also extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery, while calling on the public to remain safety conscious at all times.
