At least six people have lost their lives, and many others sustained injuries in a devastating accident involving a trailer carrying tiles and a lorry loaded with soft drinks on Monday at Oke Eleshin, Amuloko, along Akanran Road in Ibadan. Among the injured was a young pupil whose mother was reportedly killed in the crash.
Four of the injured were taken to the nearby Amuloko City Hospital, where two primary school children were treated as outpatients, while two individuals with severe injuries were admitted for further treatment. The deceased were transported to a hospital that has yet to be confirmed.
A staff member from the Oyo Road Transport Maintenance Agency (OYRTMA), who wished to remain anonymous, shared insights on the incident. “The accident occurred in the early hours of today due to brake failure of the trailer while descending the slope.
It lost control, crushing a tricycle, commonly known as Keke NAPEP. Another lorry transporting soft drinks, coming from behind, attempted to avoid colliding with the trailer but ended up hitting and crushing another Keke NAPEP.
We learned that six people died, while five sustained injuries and have since been evacuated from the scene.”
The accident resulted in significant traffic congestion, with passengers disembarking and walking while many left their vehicles parked along the roadside, waiting for security operatives to clear the area.
In addition to the two articulated vehicles and the two tricycles involved, two other cars were also damaged in the multi-vehicle collision.
Sympathisers at the scene, prevented from setting the vehicles ablaze, blamed the drivers—who managed to escape—for the tragedy.
They argued that the accident could have been mitigated if the driver of the out-of-control trailer had swerved into a ditch instead of heading towards the oncoming tricycle.
Security personnel on-site included members of Operation Burst, OYRTMA, the police, the Road Safety Corps, Amotekun, and local vigilantes.
When reached for comment, Mrs. Rosemary Alo, Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Oyo, confirmed the accident but stated she would provide an official report once her team briefs her adequately.
Oyo Police Public Relations Officer Adewale Osifeso indicated that the FRSC Commander would issue a detailed account of the incident.
