At least nine people have been killed in two different accidents in Lagos and Ondo State.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Lagos accident claimed the lives of four people, including a policeman, who were confirmed dead as multiple trucks collided and burst into flames on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It was gathered that the ghastly road accident that left about 20 others critically injured occurred around the Berger axis and involved several heavy-duty trucks.
It was further learnt that one of the trucks reportedly plunged into the Kara River, while two others collided and burst into flames, causing massive traffic gridlock on the busy highway.
Confirming the accident, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency received distress alerts on its 767/112 Toll Free Emergency Lines at 06 49hours and quickly activated the state’s emergency response plans from its Command and Control Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
He said, “Upon arrival at the incident scene by 07:09 hours, it was discovered that five vehicles had collided with each other in a multiple-crash incident.
“The five trucks, registration numbers unknown, included a mini truck laden with cartons of cracker biscuits, a fully laden heavy-duty long truck, a 40ft containerised truck, a trailer laden with sardines, and a private tow truck,” he said.
On the casualties, Oke-Osanyintolu said, “Unfortunately, four fatalities occurred. All were adult males, including a police officer. Two deaths occurred at the incident scene, while the other two occurred upon arrival at the hospital.
Meanwhile, no fewer than five persons lost their lives, while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal road crash that occurred on Thursday in Ondo State.
LEADERSHIP learnt that the accident, which happened at Oyin Junction, after Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government Area, involved a Nissan Sunny car and a DAF tipper truck.
A source told our correspondent that the victims were on their way to the popular Ogbese Market, on the outskirts of Akure, to trade their goods before meeting their tragic end.
The Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Samuel Ibitoye, confirmed the accident when contacted.
Ibitoye attributed the cause of the crash to the driver’s overspeeding.
According to him, “Seven people were involved; five were killed – comprising one male adult, three female adults, and one female child – while two others were injured.”
The FRSC boss disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) by personnel from his team.
While lamenting the rising number of avoidable accidents on major routes across the state, Ibitoye indicated that the command had intensified its engagement with tipper drivers and other motorists along the Akure-Ogbese axis to promote safer driving practices.
His words: “It is becoming too frequent. We have been engaging with tipper drivers and will continue to do so. They must ensure proper vehicle maintenance to prevent crashes caused by mechanical faults.
“I urge motorists to adopt defensive driving techniques, especially during the ‘ember’ months. There is a need for road users to drive responsibly to safeguard lives and support national development.”
