By Chidi Ugwu
Seven persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal road crash along the Keffi–Abuja Highway at Angwan Jarmi on Wednesday.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing the loss of lives as painful and unacceptable.
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He extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of their souls.
Preliminary reports from the Corps indicate that the crash involved a lone vehicle allegedly driven at excessive speed.
The vehicle was said to have lost control, veered into the opposite lane and collided, resulting in multiple fatalities.
FRSC rescue teams were immediately deployed to the scene after distress alerts were received.
However, upon arrival, personnel reportedly met a tense atmosphere as some members of the public, including commercial motorcycle operators, reacted angrily to the incident.
The situation escalated into a mob attack on the FRSC Keffi Unit Command before security reinforcements restored order.
In response, the Corps Marshal directed a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
While initial findings point to speeding and loss of control as the likely causes, he said the probe would also examine allegations of possible patrol-related factors.
Mohammed assured that the Corps would neither rush to apportion blame nor ignore public concerns, stressing that any personnel found to have violated operational standards would be sanctioned in line with FRSC regulations.
He commended the swift intervention of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, whose timely response helped to restore calm and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The FRSC appealed for calm and urged members of the public to allow due process to take its course, warning that attacks on rescue and enforcement personnel undermine collective efforts to safeguard lives on the highways.
The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, transparency and continuous engagement with communities, assuring Nigerians that it would continue working with relevant stakeholders to prevent future tragedies and strengthen public confidence in road safety operations.
