The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reported that eight passengers lost their lives in a tragic road accident at Agbede community, located along the Benin-Auchi road in the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Mr. Cyril Mathew, the Edo Sector Commander of the FRSC, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday, March 10, 2025, in Benin City.
According to Mathew, eyewitnesses stated that the accident occurred on Sunday, March 9, when a truck, descending the Ewu Hill from Benin towards Auchi, suffered brake failure and crashed into several vehicles trapped in traffic. The collision ignited a fire that engulfed the vehicles, resulting in numerous casualties.
The crash involved four vehicles, including two tankers transporting diesel and petroleum products. Witnesses reported that one of the tankers lost its brakes while descending the hill and crashed into other vehicles, sparking the deadly fire.
Mathew further revealed that two individuals died at the scene, while four others were rushed to the hospital. After the fire was extinguished, emergency responders recovered seven bodies, including the two victims who had died on Sunday. Tragically, one of the injured later succumbed to their injuries on Monday morning, bringing the total death toll to eight.
Eyewitnesses recalled that the truck driver and his assistant screamed, “No brake! No brake!” before crashing into the vehicles caught in the traffic. The victims, who were trapped in the congestion, were not involved in any illegal fuel scooping activities, Mathew clarified.
The FRSC commander commended the swift actions of his personnel and local residents, whose quick response helped prevent further fatalities.
