Six lives lost, five more injured, and countless families left shattered. That was the grim toll of the recent auto crash in Okene, Kogi State—a tragedy that has triggered grief, anger, and renewed calls for action.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has condemned the incident as not just a tragedy but a national emergency.
In a statement issued Tuesday, through her chief Press Secretary, Orogbonlo Isreal, she extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and injured, calling the crash “deeply disturbing and unacceptable.”
“Too many lives are being lost senselessly on our roads,” the Senator said. “We cannot continue to mourn victims while ignoring the root causes. This cannot be the norm.”
Calling for restraint and responsibility on the part of road users, she urged Nigerians—especially commercial drivers—to obey traffic rules and prioritize human life over haste or profit.
But her message wasn’t just for citizens. She called on authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the crash and ensure that any negligence is addressed swiftly. “Government must rise to its responsibility. Road safety is not optional—it’s a matter of life and death,” she stated.
The lawmaker also emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved driver training, and better road infrastructure. “Lives are being wasted because our systems are weak,” she said. “We must fix them.”
The Okene crash has once again exposed the dangers lurking on Nigeria’s highways. But with voices like Senator Natasha’s growing louder, many hope this moment will not fade into another forgotten headline.
“This is not just a call to mourn,” she said. “It is a call to act.”