- A speeding truck loaded with coal lost control on the Abuja–Lokoja Highway, causing a deadly crash
- Twelve people, including children, were killed instantly while three others sustained serious injuries
- The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the incident and blamed dangerous driving and speeding for the tragedy
No fewer than 12 persons were reported dead and three others injured on Sunday, January 11, 2026, after a truck rammed into bystanders at Gada-Biyu village along the Abuja–Lokoja Highway.
The Federal Capital Territory Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Felix Theman, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Sunday evening, January 11.
Source: Twitter
Truck loses control, crashes into bystanders
According to PUNCH, Theman said the crash occurred at about 11.47am and involved four vehicles: an 18-seater Sharon bus, two Volkswagen Golf cars and the truck.
According to him, the truck, which was fully loaded with coal and coming from the Lokoja axis at high speed, lost control and veered off the road. It then crashed into bystanders who were waiting by the roadside to board vehicles.
Victims of the Abuja–Lokoja highway crash
Theman explained that 12 people died instantly. The victims included four adult males, two adult females, four male children and two female children. Some of those killed were residents of Gada-Biyu.
Three other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rescued to Abaji General Hospital for treatment.
The sector commander said the truck driver and his conductor fled the scene immediately after the incident, apparently to avoid mob action.
He added that the bodies of the deceased had been released to their families for burial at Gada-Biyu.
Cause of the Abuja–Lokoja highway accident
Theman attributed the accident to speeding, loss of control and dangerous driving by the truck driver.
He disclosed that the FRSC would meet with the management of the transport company involved, noting that this was the second reported crash involving the same truck along the Abuja–Lokoja Highway.
The sector commander also said the FRSC had directed its Yangoji Unit Command to ensure that motorists who park by the roadside to pick passengers at Gada-Biyu are relocated to safer locations.
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Motor accident kills 7 wedding travellers
We earlier reported that seven persons from Lawanti village in Akko Local Government Area (LGA) of Gombe state lost their lives in a tragic motor accident on Saturday, December 27, 2025, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway. The victims were identified as Gambo Abbo (35), Umalkhairi (18), Rabiu Abubakar (28), Fatuma Hassan (28), Amal Abubakar (3), Adamu Bello (4) and Zara’u Alhaji (27).
Reports indicated that they were travelling to Maiduguri, Borno state, to attend a wedding ceremony when the accident occurred. According to Dailytrust, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya described the incident as a painful and devastating loss, not only to the affected families but also to the entire Lawanti community in Akko LGA and Gombe state at large.
Governor Yahaya extended his condolences to the families of the victims, particularly the District Head of Jalingo, Bello Hassan Babangida, who lost his sister and niece; Idris Lawanti Maigari, who lost his daughter; and Idris A. Isah Lawanti, the councillor representing Akko Ward, who also lost close relatives