Ten people have been killed and 20 others injured after a tanker carrying dozens of passengers crashed in central Nigeria on Monday morning.

The accident occurred at approximately 08:20 local time in the Tafa axis of Niger State. Authorities say the driver of the DAF tanker lost control while traveling at excessive speed along the Tafa–Gujeni route.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials confirmed that of the 33 men on board, ten died at the scene. Emergency teams rescued 23 survivors, 20 of whom are currently receiving treatment for “varying degrees of injuries” at a nearby general hospital.

The danger of ‘mixed loading’

While speeding was the immediate cause of the crash, safety officials have pointed to a more “disturbing” and illegal practice known as mixed loading.

This involves the transportation of human passengers alongside heavy goods or fuel in vehicles designed strictly for haulage. In Nigeria, it is an increasingly common—and deadly—alternative for low-income travelers looking to move between states at a lower cost than commercial buses.

“The vehicle was engaged in the highly dangerous and illegal act of mixed loading,” said FRSC spokesperson Felicia Kalu. She added that the Corps has consistently warned against the practice due to its “catastrophic consequences.”

‘An avoidable tragedy’

The head of the FRSC, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, described the incident as a “painful reminder” of the risks taken by some road users.

“No journey is worth the loss of human lives,” he said, reiterating that the agency would intensify its crackdown on haulage drivers who use their vehicles for passenger conveyance.

Analysis: A persistent highway crisis

Road accidents are a frequent occurrence in Nigeria, often attributed to a combination of poorly maintained infrastructure, overloaded vehicles, and a lack of stringent enforcement of speed limits.

The Tafa axis, where this latest crash occurred, is a major transit point for trucks moving goods between the north and south of the country. Despite repeated government campaigns and the introduction of speed-limiting devices for commercial vehicles, the death toll on Nigeria’s highways remains high.

The FRSC has urged the public to remain safety conscious, reminding travelers that road safety is a “shared responsibility.”