Barely two days to Easter celebration, tragedy struck in Osun State, on Saturday, when five people lost their lives in a fatal accident along the Ife-Ilesa expressway.

An eyewitness account reported that the crash, which occurred around 10:15 am at Dusbin area, involved a white colour Toyota Hilux pickup van, marked Lagos FKJ 691 HZ and a Mark trailer.

The number plate of the trailer could not be found due to the impact of the accident, which was caused by route violation.

Confirming the incident in a press statement forwarded to journalists, the Osun State Sector Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Taofeek Adeyemi Sokunbi, cautioned road users against route violation and excessive speeding.

According to him, the victims include three male adults, one female adult and one female child, adding that the only person injured had been taken to Mayowa Hospital, Ipetumodu.

Recovered items include a small bag containing jewellery, bags of clothes, and cash of five hundred and eight thousand nine hundred naira only (#508,900). The items recovered were handed over to the family members of the victims at the scene in the presence of a Police officer.

“The injured victim was taken to Mayowa Hospital, Ipetumodu, while the dead bodies were taken to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) mortuary.

”The crashed vehicles have been taken over by the Nigeria Police Force, “the statement reads.