The tragedies, attributed to a combination of factors, highlight the urgent need for improved road safety measures.

Overcrowded highways, poor conditions, and reckless driving were identified as key contributors to the crashes, which occurred on major routes used by Nigerians traveling to celebrate the holidays with loved ones.

One particularly devastating accident claimed the lives of at least four people and injured 59 others on Tuesday morning.

A truck overloaded with passengers and goods lost control and careened into a ditch on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, a vital artery connecting the north and south. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the incident to overloading and driver fatigue.

Separate incidents, also on Tuesday, involved a minibus crashing into a barrier on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway due to alleged overspeeding, leaving two dead and six injured.

Similarly, in the southwestern state of Osun, another minibus mishap caused by excessive speeding on the Ikirun-Ilaodo highway resulted in nine fatalities and five injuries.

The FRSC has issued renewed calls for drivers to prioritize safety regulations and urged passengers to speak up against reckless driving by vehicle operators.

The tragedies underscore the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved infrastructure to curb future accidents and prevent further loss of life. (ILKHA)