The Benue State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Corps Commander Aliyu Baba, has disclosed that a total of 109 people died from road crashes between January to July 16, 2019.
Aliyu Baba, who stated this while speaking to the Next Edition in his office in Makurdi, said within the time under review, the command has recorded a total of 144 crashes involving 117 vehicles and 111 motorcycles and tricycles.
According to him, while 109 person have died so far, 435 injured victims were hospitalized with varying degrees of injuries.
The Corps Commander who described the figures as very scary stated that the recent tanker explosion in Ahumbe, along Makurdi/Aliade highway, was responsible for the increase in the number of deaths and injuries saying from that accident alone, 60 people have died while 80 others are being treated of burn at different hospitals in the state.
Aliyu Baba said since resuming work in Benue, he has noticed cases of over speeding, drunk driving, route violation, underage driving/riding, unlicensed driving as well as unlicensed and unregistered okada and tricycle riders among others.
He disclosed that there will be a nationwide clampdown of all motorcycles and tricycles operating without licenses and registration.
He said the FRSC was synergizing with other security agencies to form a task force while the State Board of Internal Revenue, (BIRS) has been mandated to produce enough plate numbers to ensure a smooth enforcement of the orders.
The Corps Commander also said the command and the state ministry of works have set up a committee to come up with measures that will reduce the gridlock presently experienced at the Wurukum Roundabout, Makurdi.
According to him, the command has also commenced enforcement of use of speed limiting devises saying they have sent letters to churches and mosques to intimate the public on their plans while planning to stage a rally to sensitize more members of the public.
The new FRSC boss, who assumed office recently, urged Nigerians in Benue and elsewhere to change their attitude to road use for their safety and that of others.
The Sector Commander called on the federal, state and local governments to construct roads and rehabilitate bad ones across the country and in Benue to forestall road crashes.
He stated that the Corps was committed to working with all stakeholders to reduce crashes and making the highways safer for the people.
