Eight Libyan returnees die in auto crash on Sagamu expressway

Eight Libyan returnees from Edo State yesterday lost their lives and seven others injured and are said to be in critical condition as they were involved in an accident along Ore-Ijebu-Ode-Sagamu expressway in Ogun State.

The remains of the dead have been reportedly deposited at the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital.

The incident occurred at about 10:45pm on Tuesday last week close to Omoo River, J4 area of the route and involved a white Toyota Hiace 18 –seater commercial bus with registration number AYB 479 XA and a blue and white Volvo truck with plate number KSF 79 XL.

It was gathered that the bus left Benin late in the night with 15 male and female returnees from Libya after they had been profiled by the state taskforce on anti human trafficking and illegal migration.

It was gathered that their mission to Lagos was to receive spiritual and financial assistance from the General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Prophet TB Joshua who has consistently been a benefactor to returnees and other less privileged members of the public.

The Ogun State Sector commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Clement Oladele confirmed the incident in a telephone call yesterday, adding that the crash happened when the driver of the truck drove against the traffic and had a head on collision with the commercial bus in the process.

He explained that out of the 15 occupants of the commercial bus, nine were adult males, five females and one female child.

Oladele further stated that those who got injured include five males and two females while the other eight were roasted beyond recognition. He attributed the accident to “route violation following driving against traffic by the truck, dangerous driving and over speeding.’’

When contacted yesterday, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to Edo State governor, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the state government was deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident.

He said however that the state should not be blamed for the ugly incident, saying that on arrival from Libya all the returnees who are indigenes of Edo State were given the full complement of the state government by profiling them and giving them all the necessary assistance that would enable them be reintegrated into the society and unite with their families.

“They may have embarked on the trip to Lagos on their own volition. However, the state government will make effort to reach families of those who died or affected in the crash.’’

Meanwhile, the Yobe State Government has reunited 216 returnees from Libya with their families, following their profiling by security, medical and humanitarian agencies in Damaturu, the state capital.