A tragic multi-vehicle accident cast a pall over Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over the weekend, as a collision on the Ibadan stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed at least five lives.
The crash, which occurred around 10 p.m. on Friday near Satguru Maharaji Ji Village just before the Ibadan Toll Gate involved several vehicles including six trucks (gas tankers and trailers), two Toyota Hilux vans, and two cars.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident was triggered when a truck reportedly suffered brake failure and crashed into a stationary vehicle, setting off a chain reaction that resulted in a fire outbreak. Eight people were rescued from the wreckage with varying degrees of injuries and were promptly taken to hospital for treatment.
Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident and attributed the cause to brake failure. “Upon arrival, we discovered that the accident involved six trucks and two cars, resulting in a fire outbreak. Five persons were recovered dead, while eight others were rescued and handed over to the Federal Road Safety Corps for medical attention at the nearest hospital,” he stated.
The fire was quickly extinguished, and normalcy has since been restored to the area, as security agencies and road safety officials worked to clear the resulting traffic gridlock.
