Six persons returning from the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities event in Lokoja have died in a road crash along the Lokoja to Okene road. Thirteen others were injured.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday evening. He said the victims were returning from the commemoration held earlier at the Government House.
Fanwo described the incident as a painful blow to the state.
“The unfortunate accident, which occurred along the Lokoja–Okene road, claimed six precious lives,” he said. “Thirteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at different health facilities across the state.”
The commissioner added that the tragedy has left the government and people of Kogi State in deep sorrow. “We mourn deeply with the families of the deceased and extend our heartfelt condolences to them during this painful and devastating moment. The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all, and we stand in solidarity with the affected families and communities. This is indeed a dark day in our history,” he noted.
Fanwo also said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed that the state government take full responsibility for the medical treatment of all injured victims until they fully recover.
“Government officials have been deployed to the various hospitals to ensure that the victims receive the best possible treatment and to provide support to their families,” he added. “Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones, as we consider this a state tragedy of devastating magnitude.”
He urged the public to pray for the repose of the souls of the dead and the recovery of the injured. “May God grant the bereaved families the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed every year on December 3. This year’s theme was Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.
