At least, Six persons living with disabilities were killed and 13 others seriously injured in a fatal road accident along the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State on Wednesday.

The victims were returning to their respective destinations after attending the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration held at the Government House in Lokoja when the tragedy occurred.

The injured are currently receiving medical attention at various hospitals across the state.

In a statement, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as a painful loss to the government and people of the state.

“The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all,” Fanwo said, adding that the administration stands in full solidarity with the bereaved families and the entire disability community.

He disclosed that Governor Usman Ododo has directed the state government to take full responsibility for the medical bills of all 13 injured victims until they fully recover.

Authorities are yet to release the identities of the deceased and the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The Trump administration is rolling out a new visa-restriction policy in response to a wave of brutal anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria, targeting those accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in the West African nation and around the world.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that a new policy in the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to deny visas to those “who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” Immediate family members may also face visa restrictions in some cases.

“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Rubio said in the statement.

The move follows a surge of attacks on Christians and Christian institutions in Nigeria. Last month, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing two people and kidnapping dozens. The 38 abducted worshipers were freed nearly a week later.

Days later, armed attackers raided St. Mary’s School in Niger State, abducting more than 300 students and staff. School officials said 50 students aged 10 to 18 escaped in the following days, but 253 students and 12 teachers remain captive.

The violence prompted President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” though the Nigerian government disputes the U.S. assessment.

“I’m really angry about it,” the president told Fox News Radio last month. “What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.”

Rubio said the new visa restrictions will apply to Nigeria and to any other governments or individuals involved in violating religious freedom.

Echoing Trump’s warning, Rubio said: “As President Trump made clear, the ‘United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.’”

1. The Kogi State Government regrets to announce a tragic accident involving a bus conveying some of our citizens who were returning from the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held earlier today at the Government House, Lokoja.
2. The unfortunate accident, which occurred along the Lokoja–Okene road, claimed six precious lives.
3. Thirteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at different health facilities across the state.
4. This tragedy has brought profound sorrow to the Government and people of Kogi State. We mourn deeply with the families of the deceased and extend our heartfelt condolences to them during this painful and devastating moment.
5. The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all, and we stand in solidarity with the affected families and communities. This is indeed a dark day in our history.
6. His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed that the State Government take full responsibility for the medical care of all injured persons until they fully recover.
7. Government officials have been deployed to the various hospitals to ensure that the victims receive the best possible treatment and to provide support to their families.
8. Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones, as we consider this a state tragedy of devastating magnitude.
9. As we collectively grieve, we ask for prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the quick recovery of the injured.
10. May God grant the bereaved families the strength to bear this irreparable loss.