Four individuals tragically lost their lives in a fatal road accident in Bauchi State, as confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The incident, which took place on Saturday in Rinji, Toro Local Government Area of the North-Eastern State, involved eight passengers. FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu, stated that the crash involved a Mercedes Benz with registration number AK808AA and a Volkswagen Opel Vectra with registration number TFB675RC.

Agwu further mentioned that the rescue team recovered N1.5 million belonging to the victims. “Out of the eight individuals in the vehicles, four, including one female adult and three male adults, lost their lives, while the remaining four sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he said.

Expressing concern over the increasing cases of traffic infractions involving trailers transporting passengers, Agwu revealed that FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu, inaugurated a Joint Task Force to apprehend and prosecute offenders responsible for such infractions.

The Joint Task Force comprises personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), State Traffic Management Agencies, and FRSC operatives. The inauguration of the JTF, implemented in phases, commenced with the commissioning of the team to oversee the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway on Saturday at Kakau Toll Gate, Kaduna State.

During the event, Assistant Corps Marshal, Federal Operations, ACM Zubairu Mato, representing the Corps Marshal, stressed the crucial role of the Joint Task Force. Biu expressed dismay over the recent surge in road traffic accidents involving trailers transporting goods, animals, and passengers on highways.