In a heartbreaking turn of events, three persons lost their lives when a haulage truck operated by Dangote Group reportedly rammed into them on Friday in Luga, a suburb within the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State. According to a report by Daily Post Nigeria, the incident occurred along the artery linking Gboko town to surrounding communities. Daily Post

The tragedy has reignited concerns about commercial vehicle road safety in the state and the responsibilities of major haulage firms.

Further reporting by Naija News reveals two of the deceased as Orgem Ugondo and Aondozungwe Ugondo, both brothers from Mbatan kindred in Mbayion, Gboko LGA, with a third victim yet to be publicly named.

According to local witnesses, the haulage truck “came at a high speed” before it lost control and struck the victims. One resident, who chose to remain anonymous

“We saw the truck swerving before it landed on them  it was terrible.”

Speed and vehicle control

Local safety observers suggest that excessive speed and insufficient braking may have contributed to the disastrous outcome. Many large-haul vehicles on the Gboko-Luga corridor are reported to operate under pressure of tight schedules, raising concerns.

Road and lighting conditions

The stretch of road at Luga is poorly lit and has limited signage reinforcing safe speed limits. In the evening hours, this poses an added hazard for drivers and pedestrians alike. A traffic official in Benue was quoted by Daily Post:

“We must enforce stricter checks on heavy-duty trucks, especially in the twilight hours when visibility drops.” Daily Post

Response from Dangote Group & State Authorities

As at press time, Dangote Group has not formally commented on the incident publicly. Benue State traffic enforcement officers say they have launched an investigation and intend to meet with the haulage company to review its fleet safety protocols.

Additionally, the State Government has pledged to review regulatory compliance for logistics providers operating in high-risk zones. A statement from the Benue traffic command reads

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“The lives lost are regrettable. We will work with the haulage operators to ensure such avoidable tragedies do not recur.”

This latest incident underscores a broader challenge facing Nigeria’s transport sector  balancing commercial haulage demands with road-user safety. Experts suggest that companies like Dangote Group and others must adopt stricter driver-monitoring systems, routine maintenance checks, and enforce sensible speed limits.

A road-safety NGO spokesperson emphasised:

“When large trucks cause deaths, the ripple effect is huge families shattered, communities traumatised.”

In sum, while the immediate tragedy has claimed three lives, it also sends a clear message: the interplay of heavy-duty logistics, inadequate road infrastructure and lax enforcement can have deadly consequences. The victims’ families mourn, while the community demands accountability.
As the late Nigerian traffic minister once said:

“Every life on our roads is precious; when one is lost, we all lose.”

Whether this moment will prompt tangible reform remains to be seen — but for Gboko and Benue State, change can no longer wait.