KEY POINTS

• FRSC boss blames negligence for Kano crash.
• Mechanical failures worsen highway safety challenges.
• FRSC boss urges strict compliance with safety laws.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says negligence was at the heart of a fatal accident that killed 12 people on Friday in Kano State.

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the crash at Samawa Village, Garun Malam Local Government Area, as both “tragic and avoidable,” calling for urgent reforms to stem recurring losses on Nigeria’s highways.

FRSC boss blames negligence for deadly crash

A lone DAF trailer with registration number KMC 931 ZE lost control on the Zaria–Kano Highway after its cab hook broke off, detaching from the trailer.

The vehicle, which was carrying both goods and passengers—a practice the FRSC has repeatedly condemned—overturned, killing 12 at the scene.

According to FRSC’s preliminary report, 19 individuals were involved in the crash. Five sustained injuries, while two were rescued unharmed. Furthermore, the injured are being treated at Kura General Hospital, and the deceased were taken to the Nasarawa Hospital mortuary.

Mechanical faults expose Nigeria’s highway safety risks

FRSC investigations identified a critical mechanical failure as the trigger, highlighting how poor maintenance and aging fleets continue to endanger lives.

“This tragedy was avoidable,” Mohammed said in a statement, adding that transport operators must urgently prioritize safety and modernization of fleets.

Furthermore, he stressed that the recurring fatalities linked to heavy-duty vehicles underscore the need for rigorous adherence to safety regulations. Haulage companies, he said, must take responsibility for upgrading their vehicles and ensuring strict compliance with maintenance schedules.

FRSC boss urges transporters to renew fleets

Mohammed also condemned the dangerous practice of mixing passengers, animals, and goods in the same vehicle, describing it as reckless and unlawful. Furthermore, he warned that violators would face stiffer sanctions in the coming months.

“The recurring loss of lives from preventable crashes underscores the urgent need for haulage companies to adopt modern fleet renewal practices,” the Corps Marshal noted.

The Kano crash adds to a growing list of deadly incidents on Nigerian highways that have been blamed on poor vehicle conditions, negligence, and disregard for road safety laws. As authorities confront the rising toll, pressure is mounting on operators to act—and on regulators to enforce.