A devastating accident occurred in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, on Wednesday night when a cement-laden truck, allegedly owned by Dangote Cement, lost control due to brake failure and crashed into pedestrians near Adekunle Ajasin University. The tragic incident claimed the lives of eight people, including a pregnant woman, a child, the child’s mother, and five other males.
The accident happened close to Holy Trinity Church, plunging the community into mourning and chaos. Eyewitnesses cited the removal of a barricade that previously restricted heavy trucks from accessing the area as a factor contributing to multiple fatal accidents, including this latest tragedy.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ondo confirmed the fatalities and appealed to motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy to prevent future disasters. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures and strict enforcement of traffic regulations to protect lives in the state.
The incident has sparked calls from community members for greater government intervention and safety checks, especially regarding heavy trucks operating in residential and commercial areas.
This heartbreaking event adds to concerns over road safety and infrastructure management in Ondo and across Nigeria, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by road users and pedestrians alike.