KOGI ROAD MISHAP CLAIMS 100

Kogi road mishap claims 100
From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
No fewer than 100 people were killed at the Felele market point in Lokoja along the busy Abuja-Lokoja Highway yesterday, when the driver of a trailer conveying bags of cement lost control and rammed into other  vehicles. The accident affected up to 15 vehicles with most of the casualties being passengers and traders who sell wares by the roadside.

An eyewitness said the trailer was coming from Obajana cement factory and heading for Abuja when the driver, on top speed, suddenly lost control of the vehicle, killing many people instantly. The accident occurred at about 1p.m.

People at the scene were thrown into shock and anguish as several victims were trapped, while many sustained serious injuries.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps had a hectic day as they conveyed the dead and the injured to the Federal Medical Centre and the specialist hospital in the town for medical attention. The accident drew the anger of the people who complained bitterly about several deaths recorded on the Abuja-Lokoja highway, which is yet to be dualised.

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Philip Salawu, who went to inspect the scene of accident narrowly escaped being mobbed.

Yesterday's accident was the third in the state in the last three months. Late last year, a trailer ran into a market at Dekina, killing over 90 people. Shortly after, a fuel tanker mowed down several people near Mobil filling station in Okene.