At least eight people, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives in a fatal road accident that occurred on Wednesday evening in Akungba Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
It was gathered that the incident involved a truck loaded with cement, which allegedly lost control and rammed into several roadside shops along the Owo–Akungba–Ikare expressway.
The crash, which happened near the popular Holy Trinity Church, threw the entire town into chaos as residents and students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), trooped to the scene.
Confirming the accident, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Mr. Samuel Ibitoye, said the incident involved a truck loaded with bags of cement that lost control after running into a barricade in front of the university.
“The truck ran into a barricade and lost control, resulting in the crash. No fewer than eight people were killed, comprising five males, two females, and one male child,” Ibitoye said.
He advised motorists to always ensure their vehicles are in proper working condition before hitting the road and to strictly adhere to traffic rules and regulations to prevent such tragedies.
Reacting to the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the AAUA Students’ Union Government, Akinibobola Ajidagba, described the crash as heartbreaking.
“We regret to inform the entire student populace that an articulated vehicle belonging to the Dangote Group suffered a brake failure from Ikare en route to Akungba and destroyed the permanent barricade erected at the university’s main gate” he said.
Ajidagba recalled that the Students’ Union had repeatedly called for a ban on heavy-duty trucks from plying Akungba roads to prevent such accidents.
“As it stands, close to 10 people have lost their lives due to this tragic incident. As we all can recollect, the Students’ Union has made several efforts to ensure that trucks stop plying Akungba roads, as this can endanger the lives and properties of our students,” he said.
“We still remain resolute in the assurance of this struggle. We implore all students to remain and be fearless, as we are up to the task of maintaining peace and order within the student community, and to stay away from the highway for the time being.”
