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A serious road traffic accident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, January 20, 2026, along the Katsina-Ala to Tor Donga section of the Katsina-Ala–Takum highway (part of Trunk ‘A’ federal road) in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The crash, involving a heavily loaded truck and a saloon car, was attributed to near-zero visibility caused by thick dust clouds blanketing the abandoned and poorly maintained federal road project. Eyewitnesses and local residents described the highway as heavily dust-laden, making it nearly impossible for motorists to see even a short distance ahead, especially during the dry season when such conditions are common.
Although the collision was described as severe, no fatalities were recorded at the scene. Several victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to Nguher Hospital in Katsina-Ala for medical attention.
Mr. Tordue Emmanuel, a resident who spoke on the incident, confirmed that the dusty condition of the road significantly reduced visibility and contributed directly to the crash. He noted that the prolonged abandonment of the federal road rehabilitation project by contractors has left the highway in a hazardous state, with dust becoming a persistent danger to road users.
The incident has reignited strong calls from residents, commuters, and community leaders for urgent intervention by relevant federal authorities. Many have warned that the current state of the Katsina-Ala–Takum highway poses a serious and ongoing risk to motorists, particularly during the harmattan and dry season periods when dust levels are at their peak.
Social media posts and local reports circulating on platforms such as Facebook showed images of the mangled saloon car trapped under the truck trailer, with bystanders gathered at the scene. The accident underscores long-standing complaints about the slow pace or abandonment of critical federal road projects in parts of Benue State, which continue to endanger lives and disrupt economic activities along major transport corridors.
