Truck driver rams into commuters, kills four in Ogun

A reckless truck driver has crushed six people to death and left several others with injuries in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. The fatal accident occurred around 10pm at Enugada corridor of Lafenwa with the victims believed to be traders returning late from the popular Lafenwa Market, Abeokuta.

It was learnt that the truck with registration number AAA 86 XX lost control, knocked down two commercial motorcycles registered as DE 968 V and AAB 387 VP, even as it also hit a Honda CRV marked EKY 857 GU.

Operatives of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) were seen evacuating the victims, clearing road obstruction and directing traffic at the scene.

The TRACE Public Relations Officer, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the accident, attributing it to brake failure when the truck was descending from Itoku en route Enugada, Lafenwa.

Akinbiyi said: “According to eyewitness account, the truck developed a break failure (mechanical) while descending from Itoku en route Ago-Oba towards Enugada, Lafenwa and rammed into two motorcycles and a Honda CRV, killing the two motorcyclists and the two passengers they were both carrying, while the driver of the Honda CRV Car was injured.

“Initially, six were presumed dead including the injured Honda CRV driver and a pedestrian; but they were revived due to the efforts of the first responders and members of the public who gathered at the scene of the crash.

“Unfortunately, the driver and the motor boy disappeared and were nowhere to be found by the time the truck stopped.

“The bodies of the dead victims and the injured have been deposited at a hospital by Papa Oscar (Police). However, the identity of the hospital would be released later.

“While TRACE, FRSC and the Police commiserate with the families of the deceased, motorists are again urged to service their vehicles as at when due and ensure major mechanical components are in good working condition before setting out on a journey,” he said.