Fatal Oyo Road Crash Claims Six Lives, Injures Five

A fatal road accident in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, claimed the lives of six individuals, including a school pupil and her mother. The tragic incident occurred on Monday morning at Oke Eleshin, Amuloko, along Akanran Road in the Ona Ara Local Government Area. The accident involved a trailer carrying tiles and a lorry loaded with soft drinks, which collided with two tricycles, also known as Keke NAPEP, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

According to reports, six people lost their lives in the crash, while five others, including schoolchildren, sustained varying degrees of injuries. Among the victims was a young school pupil whose mother tragically died in the accident. Four of the injured were taken to Amuloko City Hospital, where two were treated as out-patients and subsequently discharged, while two others with more severe injuries were admitted for further care.

The accident reportedly occurred due to a brake failure in the trailer, which was descending a slope when the driver lost control. Eyewitnesses described how the trailer crushed one of the tricycles, while a lorry carrying soft drinks, attempting to avoid the trailer, also collided with another tricycle. Two additional cars were damaged in the chaotic scene, which caused a significant traffic gridlock, forcing passengers to abandon their vehicles and walk.

A staff member from the Oyo Road Transport Maintenance Agency, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that the trailer’s brake failure was the cause of the accident. “The accident occurred in the early hours of today (Monday). It was caused by the brake failure of the trailer that was descending the slope of the road,” he said.

An eyewitness corroborated this, explaining how the second lorry inadvertently added to the carnage. “When the trailer lost control, it crushed a tricycle. Another lorry coming from behind it tried to avoid hitting the trailer but ended up crashing into another tricycle. Six persons died while five were injured. They have all been conveyed away from here,” the witness recounted.

The victims’ bodies were taken to a yet-to-be-identified hospital, while those injured received immediate treatment. Sympathisers at the scene expressed anger at the drivers of the trailer and lorry, who reportedly fled after the accident. Some onlookers attempted to set the vehicles ablaze in protest but were prevented by authorities. Many blamed the trailer driver for not swerving into a nearby ditch, which they believe could have minimized the impact of the crash.

Dr. Raji Wale, the Managing Director of Amuloko City Hospital, provided more details about the injured patients brought to the hospital. “Four patients were taken to this hospital. Six victims came here with varying degrees of injury. Two children have been treated as out-patients and discharged. One of the children was in the tricycle with his mother, who died in the accident. The other two patients with more serious injuries have been admitted and are currently receiving treatment.”

While the incident has drawn widespread attention, both the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Oyo State Police Command are expected to provide an official report on the accident. Mary Alo, the state Commander of the FRSC, confirmed the accident but noted that a detailed briefing would follow once her team completed their investigation. Adewole Osifeso, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, also stated that the FRSC would take the lead in providing further updates.

This devastating accident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Nigeria, particularly on poorly maintained roads, where incidents of brake failure and collisions are tragically common. The loss of life, especially involving a school pupil and her mother, has left the community in mourning, with calls for improved safety measures and stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent future accidents.