15 motorists driving against traffic died on Kaduna-Abuja highway – Commissioner

Fifteen people have died along the Kaduna-Abuja highway in the last 72 hours, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Homes Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said on Sunday.

The commissioner said those involved in the crash were driving against traffic when the incident happened.

The commissioner said, “This information was presented in a research feedback to the Kaduna State Government by the military and security agencies.

“The figure was presented along with a report of the latest crash, which occurred this morning (Sunday) around the Greenfield University in Chikun Local Government Area.

“The crash involved a trailer conveying grains and motorcycles to Abuja and was caused by a combination of speeding and driving against the direction of traffic. These caused the trailer to veer off the pavement and tip over on its side.

“Seven persons died in the crash, with five injured, who are now receiving treatment in hospital.

“Other fatal accidents have occurred recently along the route, all caused by drivers switching lanes to drive against the normal flow of traffic, usually leading to head-on collisions with oncoming vehicles.

“On Saturday, two lives were lost in such a crash around Olam Farms. Two days before that, four persons died in another crash close to the NYSC camp. A similar crash occurred last Wednesday, January 20th 2021.”

He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai “reiterated his call to drivers plying the highway to desist from dangerous practices, especially speeding and driving against the flow of traffic, which remains prohibited by the Kaduna State Government.”