A traffic marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and a driver have lost their lives in a tragic road accident during a rescue operation in Edo State.
The incident happened on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Oviogie community along the busy Benin-Ore Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area.
The Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Cyril Mathew, confirmed the incident to journalists on Friday in Benin City.
According to him, the tragedy began with an initial road crash on the highway. FRSC officers and other emergency responders quickly moved to the scene to rescue victims of the first accident.
However, while the rescue operation was still ongoing, another vehicle reportedly rammed into the accident scene. The second crash struck those attending to the injured victims.
“The impact of the second crash led to the death of an FRSC marshal involved in the rescue effort and a driver who was present at the scene,” Mathew said.
The identities of the deceased were yet to be made public as of press time.
Eyewitnesses said the second crash caused confusion and panic at the scene. Some drivers allegedly believed that the FRSC officials were responsible for the accident. This led to tension, and in the heat of the moment, some angry individuals reportedly attacked the road safety personnel.
The situation created chaos and made it difficult for emergency workers to carry out their duties smoothly.
The Benin-Ore Road, which links Edo State to Ondo and Lagos States, is one of the busiest highways in southern Nigeria. It serves as a major route for commercial vehicles, fuel tankers, trucks and private cars travelling between the South-South, South-West and other parts of the country.
Due to the incident, traffic along the Benin-Lagos axis was severely affected. Commuters and transport operators were stranded for several hours as vehicles piled up on both sides of the road.
Passengers travelling to Lagos and other destinations were forced to wait as authorities worked to clear the road and restore order.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, a commercial driver who identified himself simply as Iyobor blamed the first accident on the alleged indiscriminate parking of trucks along the expressway.
According to him, heavy-duty trucks are often parked carelessly along the road, especially near the FRSC office in the area.
“Many motorists have rammed into these trucks at various times, resulting in deaths or severe damage to their vehicles,” he said.
Iyobor also claimed that the attack on the FRSC officials may have been caused by accumulated anger among road users over repeated accidents in the area.
Residents of Oviogie community have in the past raised concerns about safety on that stretch of the highway. They say poor visibility at night, reckless driving and illegal parking of trucks have contributed to frequent crashes.
The FRSC has repeatedly advised motorists to reduce speed when approaching accident scenes and to obey traffic rules at all times.
The Federal Road Safety Corps was established in 1988 to reduce road traffic crashes and make highways safer for all users. Its officers are often the first responders to accident scenes. They provide emergency assistance, control traffic and help move injured victims to hospitals.
Over the years, several FRSC officers have lost their lives in the line of duty while trying to save others.
Thursday’s incident has once again drawn attention to the dangers faced by rescue workers on Nigerian roads.
Transport unions in Edo State have expressed sadness over the loss of lives and called for stricter enforcement against illegal parking of trucks on highways.
They also urged drivers to exercise patience and caution, especially when approaching accident scenes.
Security agencies were later deployed to the area to calm tensions and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to review safety measures along the Benin-Ore Road to prevent similar tragedies.
For many residents and regular users of the highway, the incident is a painful reminder of the risks associated with road travel in Nigeria.
While families of the deceased mourn their loved ones, road safety officials are calling on motorists to cooperate with traffic authorities and to always drive responsibly.
