Six persons living with disabilities have died, while 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a tragic road accident along the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State.
ARISE News learnt that the crash occurred on Wednesday shortly after the group departed Lokoja, where they had participated in events marking the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the Government House.
The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at various health facilities across the state.
In a statement, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as heartbreaking and a tragedy that has thrown the state into mourning.
“This tragedy has brought profound sorrow to the Government and people of Kogi State,” he said. “We mourn deeply with the families of the deceased and extend our heartfelt condolences during this painful and devastating moment. The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all.”
Fanwo said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed that the state government take full responsibility for the medical care of all injured victims until they fully recover. Government officials, he added, have been deployed to hospitals to ensure the victims receive optimum treatment and support.
“Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones, as we consider this a state tragedy of devastating magnitude,” the statement read.
He called for prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the quick recovery of the injured.