No fewer than 15 people have died in a lone truck crash along the Ogbomoso–Oko Olowo corridor of the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway in Kwara State.

The Kwara Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kabir Kazeem, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday in Ilorin. He said the crash occurred at about 2:32 a.m. near the Muslim Cemetery area and involved a DAF XF truck with registration number GWL 274 XC.

According to Kazeem, the truck was carrying 48 male occupants. Fifteen people were confirmed dead, 17 sustained varying degrees of injuries, while 16 escaped unhurt.

He attributed the accident to driver fatigue, noting that the injured victims suffered fractures, dislocations and bruises. They were taken to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment.

The bodies of the deceased have been released to their families through the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo in Moro Local Government Area of the state.

Kazeem added that rescue workers were still searching for anyone who might have been trapped beneath the truck’s load.

He said the rescue operation was conducted by personnel of the FRSC’s RS8.15 Oloru Unit Command and RS8.1 Kwara Command (Oko Olowo Outpost).

The FRSC commander urged motorists to avoid mixed loading, night travel and driving while fatigued, adding that the command would intensify public awareness campaigns through town hall meetings with relevant stakeholders.