14 Passengers Perish in Bus-Tanker Accident on Niger’s Lapai-Bida Road
A tragic vehicular collision on the Lapai-Bida road in Niger State has resulted in the deaths of 14 passengers and left several others injured. The incident occurred at approximately 10:59 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, between the villages of Kusobogi and Nami. The crash involved a Toyota Hiace bus traveling from Minna to Agaie and a DAF tanker en route from Lagos to Kaduna.
According to the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kumar Tsukwam, the collision was primarily caused by excessive speeding and improper overtaking maneuvers. Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the Toyota Hiace bus, in an attempt to overtake another vehicle at high speed, collided head-on with the oncoming DAF tanker. The force of the impact led to an immediate and catastrophic outcome.
The victims of this tragic event include eight male adults, five female adults, and one male child, all of whom succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Additionally, six male passengers sustained serious injuries and were promptly transported to the General Hospital in Lapai for emergency medical treatment. Emergency response teams, including FRSC personnel, were dispatched to the scene to manage the situation, provide medical assistance to the injured, and coordinate the removal of the deceased to the hospital morgue.
This incident underscores a series of similar accidents that have plagued the Lapai-Bida road in recent times. In September 2024, a devastating accident on the same route resulted in the loss of 37 lives and left 18 others injured. That particular crash involved multiple vehicles, including a tanker loaded with petroleum products, and was attributed to speed violations and loss of vehicular control. The frequency of such tragic events has raised significant concerns about road safety and driver behavior on this critical highway.
In response to the recurring accidents, the FRSC has intensified its efforts to promote road safety awareness among motorists. Sector Commander Tsukwam has reiterated the importance of adhering to traffic regulations, emphasizing that excessive speeding and reckless overtaking are leading causes of fatal road incidents. He urged drivers to exercise patience, maintain safe speeds, and ensure their vehicles are in optimal condition before embarking on journeys. The FRSC continues to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement measures aimed at reducing road traffic accidents and enhancing the safety of all road users in Niger State and across the nation.
The state government has also expressed deep concern over the persistent occurrence of such accidents and is reportedly considering the implementation of stricter traffic enforcement policies. There is an ongoing dialogue about infrastructural improvements on the Lapai-Bida road to address hazardous spots and enhance overall road safety. Communities along this route are being sensitized on the importance of road safety and the collective responsibility of ensuring that such preventable tragedies are averted in the future.