Six Passengers Killed in Fatal Road Crash Along Keffi–Akwanga

A devastating road accident has claimed the lives of six passengers along the busy Keffi–Akwanga Expressway in Nasarawa State, once again raising serious concerns over reckless driving and compliance with traffic safety regulations on Nigerian highways.

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According to preliminary reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the fatal crash occurred when a commercial passenger bus reportedly attempted to evade routine traffic inspection by road safety officials.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that the driver, upon sighting enforcement officers stationed along the highway, suddenly accelerated in an attempt to avoid being stopped.

In the process, the driver lost control of the vehicle at high speed, causing it to veer off the roadway before somersaulting multiple times.

The violent impact left several occupants trapped inside the wreckage.

FRSC rescue teams, supported by local emergency responders and passers-by, rushed to the scene shortly after the incident.

Officials confirmed that:

Six passengers died instantly due to severe injuries sustained during the crash.

Several others suffered varying degrees of injuries and were immediately evacuated to nearby medical facilities in Keffi for emergency treatment.

Bodies of the deceased were later deposited at a local mortuary after rescue operations were concluded.

The FRSC Sector Command described the accident as avoidable, stressing that attempts by drivers to evade lawful inspection points remain a major contributor to fatal crashes nationwide.

Authorities reiterated that enforcement checkpoints are established primarily to:

• verify vehicle roadworthiness,
• ensure compliance with speed limits,
• prevent overloading,
• and detect unsafe driving practices.

Officials warned commercial drivers against panic reactions whenever they encounter enforcement teams, noting that reckless maneuvers often lead to catastrophic outcomes.

The Keffi–Akwanga Expressway serves as a critical transport corridor linking Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with Nasarawa and several northern states.

Due to heavy commercial traffic, the route has recorded repeated incidents involving speeding, brake failure, and driver fatigue.

Road safety analysts say many crashes along the corridor share similar causes:

excessive speed,

poor vehicle maintenance,

overloaded passenger vehicles,

and driver attempts to bypass enforcement checks.

Growing National Concern

Nigeria continues to battle high road traffic fatality rates. Data from the FRSC shows that human factors — particularly speeding and dangerous driving decisions — account for the majority of highway accidents across the country.

Transportation safety experts argue that stronger driver education, strict fleet monitoring, and consistent enforcement remain essential to reversing the trend.

Following the incident, road safety authorities issued fresh warnings urging motorists to:

• obey traffic officials at all checkpoints,
• maintain moderate speed,
• ensure vehicles are mechanically sound,
• and avoid panic driving under enforcement situations.

The FRSC confirmed that a full investigation has commenced to determine additional contributing factors, including possible overloading or mechanical failure.

Authorities also stated that enforcement operations along the Keffi–Akwanga axis would be intensified to prevent further loss of lives.

Most fatal crashes are not caused by bad roads alone but by split-second driver decisions. Compliance with traffic regulations remains one of the strongest protections against highway tragedies.