A fatal road accident at Opa Junction, near Olokuta Village along Ondo Road in Akure, claimed the life of a well-known furniture trader, popularly known as “Daddy Ese,” at the weekend.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the speeding truck ploughed into a commercial motorcycle carrying the victim, leading to his immediate death, while the motorcycle rider miraculously escaped without injury.

Rather than stopping to render assistance, the truck driver attempted to flee the scene. However, swift intervention by other road users and military personnel resulted in his arrest following a dramatic chase.

The tragic event left the victim’s wife in deep distress, as she was seen weeping inconsolably at the accident site.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the Okada Riders Association at Adebowale Junction, Akure, Mr. Monday Desmond, urged the government to widen the road, attributing frequent accidents in the area to its narrowness.

Similarly, the Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, advised motorists to exercise caution, particularly on narrow roads, warning that those found flouting traffic regulations would face strict legal sanctions.

The accident comes against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s recent approval and commencement of the dualisation of the Akure-Ondo-Ore highway, a measure aimed at reducing road crashes and preventing further loss of lives.