No fewer than 15 people have been killed and 17 others injured after a heavily loaded trailer veered off the road and overturned along the Ogbomoso–Oko Olowo section of the Ilorin–Jebba Expressway in Kwara State.
The tragic accident occurred around 2:32 a.m. on Monday near the Muslim Cemetery, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The lone crash involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC.
According to the FRSC, the driver reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel, causing the vehicle to leave the highway. The trailer subsequently detached from its head, spilling its heavy cargo onto passengers travelling on top of the load.
A total of 48 male occupants were involved in the crash.
Of the number, 15 died, 17 sustained varying degrees of injuries, while 16 escaped unhurt.
The injured suffered fractures, dislocations and bruises.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, identified the driver as Nasiru Mohammed.
He said the injured victims were evacuated to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of those who died had been released to their families and the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo in Moro Local Government Area.
Kazeem disclosed that rescue workers were still searching for additional victims believed to be trapped beneath the trailer’s cargo.
He added that the operation was carried out jointly by personnel from FRSC RS8.15 Oloru and RS8.1 Kwara Command (Oko Olowo Outpost).
The sector commander said the command would intensify public awareness campaigns through town hall meetings with transport stakeholders.
He also urged motorists to avoid mixed loading of goods and passengers, as well as night-time journeys, stressing that both practices significantly increase the risk of fatal crashes.
