A devastating road crash on the Lapai-Bida Federal Highway has claimed the lives of at least 14 passengers, with six others seriously injured. The tragedy unfolded on the morning of Saturday, February 22, 2025, when a Toyota Hiace bus collided head-on with a DAF tanker along a stretch of road between Kusobogi and Nami in Niger State.
According to the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kumar Tsukwam, the crash was caused by “excessive speeding and wrongful overtaking.” The collision took place at approximately 10:59 a.m., just as the bus, traveling from Minna to Agaie, attempted to overtake another vehicle.
“The driver of the Toyota Hiace bus was overtaking at high speed when it collided directly with an oncoming tanker, which was heading towards Kaduna from Lagos,” Tsukwam explained. The impact was so severe that it led to the immediate death of 14 passengers, including five women, one male child, and eight men.
In the wake of the crash, emergency responders rushed to the scene. While 14 lives were lost instantly, six male passengers sustained grave injuries. These injured individuals were promptly transferred to the General Hospital in Lapai, where they received urgent medical treatment.
“The victims were evacuated and the bodies of the deceased were taken to the morgue. The injured victims are in critical condition, but we hope they will recover with the necessary medical care,” Tsukwam added.
The ill-fated bus was reportedly carrying passengers from Minna to Agaie, two towns located in Niger State. The tanker, on the other hand, was en route from Lagos to Kaduna, transporting goods across a busy national route.
Several eyewitnesses have described the accident as nothing short of harrowing. A motorist, who was driving behind the bus at the time, spoke to reporters about the terrifying moment.
“I was right behind the bus when it tried to overtake a smaller vehicle. The driver was speeding, and before I could even register what was happening, the bus crashed directly into the tanker. It was a huge impact, and the sound was deafening. We tried to help, but there was little we could do,” said the eyewitness, who requested anonymity for safety reasons.
Another local resident, a shop owner near the crash site, shared his shock. “The sound of the crash was so loud, it shook the ground. I ran out to see what happened and saw the wreckage. It was a scene of devastation—people were screaming for help, but by the time the emergency services arrived, it was already too late for many of them.”
Nigerians are no strangers to tragic road accidents, and many have long voiced concerns over the quality of roads and reckless driving. The Lapai-Bida highway, though a key link between various towns in Niger State, has been notorious for accidents in recent years. Many roads, including this stretch, have been plagued with dangerous potholes and poorly maintained infrastructure, posing significant risks to travelers.
Kumar Tsukwam emphasized the need for more stringent traffic enforcement and better road safety awareness. “Excessive speeding and disregard for basic traffic rules are often the main causes of such accidents. We urge drivers to always observe speed limits, especially on such busy roads,” he said. “We also call on the government to improve road infrastructure, particularly on highways that connect major cities. This could reduce the occurrence of accidents.”
The FRSC has consistently advocated for a crackdown on erratic driving, calling on all road users to prioritize safety. With speeding being a major contributor to fatal accidents, officials argue that more enforcement is necessary to curb the rising rate of road crashes.
In light of the devastating loss of life, officials have urged both government authorities and citizens to take action. “This is an unfortunate reminder of how quickly life can be lost on our roads. It’s crucial that we as individuals and as a society, act responsibly,” Tsukwam said.
The FRSC has called for heightened vigilance, urging drivers to observe speed limits, ensure proper vehicle maintenance, and avoid dangerous overtaking practices. Additionally, there are calls for greater public education about road safety, with an emphasis on driving within speed limits and maintaining a safe following distance.
“We need to make sure that our road users understand the grave consequences of reckless driving,” Tsukwam added. “There is no room for carelessness when it comes to road safety. Lives are at stake.”
For the victims’ families, the tragedy has left an indelible mark. Relatives of the deceased gathered at the Lapai General Hospital, distraught and seeking answers. Many were still in shock from the news of their loved ones’ untimely demise.
A relative of one of the deceased, who spoke to the press, recalled how the family had been eagerly waiting for news from the travelers. “We had no idea this would happen. My cousin was on his way to visit family in Agaie. It’s devastating to think that he never made it. I’ve just been staring at the phone waiting for a call, but this is not the news I expected.”
The grieving relatives emphasized the need for better road conditions and safer transportation. “It’s too late for us, but maybe if authorities take stronger action, we can prevent such accidents from claiming other innocent lives,” the family member stated.
The deadly crash on the Lapai-Bida highway has again highlighted the urgent need for reform in road safety practices across Nigeria. With road-related fatalities continuing to rise, many are calling for government authorities, local law enforcement, and road safety bodies to work more closely to address the systemic issues contributing to these tragedies.
“We cannot allow these tragedies to continue,” said Tsukwam. “We must all take road safety seriously, whether we are driving, walking, or riding. Together, we can make a change before more lives are lost.”
As the families of the victims prepare for burials and the injured fight for their lives in hospitals, Niger State—and the nation at large—awaits action that will hopefully reduce the toll taken by road accidents across the country. The crash has underscored the vulnerability of passengers on Nigeria’s roads and the need for immediate reforms to make them safer for all.
