A truck carrying wood and jerrycans of palm oil lost control on Monday and collided with a Federal University Lokoja (FUL) shuttle bus transporting students in Kogi State.
The accident, which occurred around 2:30 p.m., reportedly resulted in multiple fatalities, with seven students and the bus driver feared dead, according to a student who spoke to SaharaReporters on Monday night.
An eyewitness stated that the shuttle bus was preparing to transport students to the university when the incident happened.
“Tragically, the truck driver lost control and crashed into the school shuttle bus, which was already filled with students and about to leave for school,” the source explained.
“The impact of the collision completely crushed the shuttle bus,” they added.
Following the accident, students began protesting, demanding that heavy-duty trucks should not be allowed to operate during the daytime.
Officials from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) arrived at the scene to assist in rescuing victims trapped under the wreckage.
Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Samuel Oyedeji, who led the rescue efforts, could not confirm the exact number of casualties. He stated that the deceased had been taken to the morgue for identification, while those injured were transported to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and the Kogi State Specialist Hospital for medical attention.