By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
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It was a horrific and black day along Osogbo-Iragbiji road in Osun State recently when a family of four was reportedly killed after being crushed by a car trying to avoid hitting a herd of cows, grazing on an express road.
The horrific incident caused pandemonium in the area and sympathizers who came to the scene of the tragedy attempted to lynch the herder that caused the accident.
The deceased family which included a pregnant woman, her husband and their two children, were said to be journeying along the road when they suddenly approached a herd of cattle grazing on the road, blocking their passage.
According to report, the deceased family who rode on a motor bike popularly called Okada waited for the cattle to leave the road before proceeding on their own journey.
However, a Camry car which reportedly rammed into the moving cows had attempted to avoid hitting them by veering off but unfortunately lost control and crushed the entire family.
Some residents of the area that came rushing to the scene accused the Fulani herdsman of causing the death of the victims and tried to lynch the herder but for the quick and timely intervention of security agents who arrived at the scene to save the situation.
The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola who confirmed the incident said the family died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
“On May 2, 2023, at about 8:55pm, there was a fatal Besides, accident around Idi Ogungun, near Onioba village Iragbiji, involving a Camry car with Registration number ABJ 288 KR, driven by one Babatunde Afeez of Number 12, Oloti area, Iragbiji, Osun State.
“The vehicle ran and knocked down a red Bajaj motorcycle with registration number SGB 544 QG, owned one Oladapo Saheed together with his wife and two children, while trying to avoid a herd of cows under the custody of one Buba Umar that strayed on the path of the vehicle.
“The unfortunate accident occurred when the said motorcyclist with his family were heading towards Iragbiji road from Osogbo whereas the driver of the car was heading towards Osogbo.
“The two were on top speed. At a point, along Onioba village, the driver of the car ran into the herd of cattle and in an attempt to maneuver, ran into the motorcycle, which led to the death of the cyclist’s son on the spot, while the cyclist, his pregnant wife and daughter were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the husband and wife with their unborn child were later confirmed dead, while their daughter is recuperating at the hospital.”
Opalola however revealed that the driver of the said vehicle, as well as the herder, had been arrested and would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.
It would be recalled that a commercial motorcyclist, Mukaila Okedowo, was also crushed to death by a granite laden truck after losing control of the wheel in Ikirun, the headquarters of Ifelodun local government area of Osun state.
The unfortunate incident occurred when a granite-laden truck coming from Obaagun and heading toward Osogbo lost control around Oja-Oba market, in front of the Akinrun’s palace.
An eyewitness account said that the truck crushed motorcyclists who packed in front of the Akinrun’s palace, saying one out of the Okada riders died on the spot while many others sustained various degrees of injuries.
He blamed the accident on dangerous driving adding that a similar incident had happened twice within this year when granite laden truck crushed another motorcyclist in the same circumstance to death.
“About two months ago, a granite-laden truck lost control of the wheel and crushed my brother to death. As I am talking to you my sister, who happened to be the wife of the deceased is still mourning the death of her late husband.
“I think the authorities concerned should help us find solution to these incessant killings of innocent people under the guise of break failure. The drivers of the granite trucks don’t always put the lives of other road users into consideration, and they need to be cautioned”, he said.
Giving the situation report on the incident, the Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Osun State command, Kehinde Adeleke, said the remains of the dead had been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary.
Adeleke said the accident occurred on April 3, 2023 around 1335hrs, a truck loaded with granite had a brake failure at Oja-Oba in Ikirun and claimed the life of Mukaila Okedowo, an Okada rider.
“Also, many people sustained various degrees of injuries while many cars were affected.
“Operatives of NSCDC, NPF and FRSC were deployed to evacuate the remains of the dead to the mortuary, while other victims were rushed to the nearby hospital for prompt treatment also to maintain law and order. “
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu recently cautioned the motoring public against conveying explosive materials like gas cylinders in passenger vehicles due to the dangers they pose to human lives on the road.
On account of such a reckless act as described by the corps Marshall, 16 persons were reportedly burnt beyond recognition in a fatal accident that occurred opposite Mat Oil, Ode-Omu, Osun State on Friday, 28 April, 2023 at 1800HRS.
The crash involved a white commercial Mazda Bus with registration number APP834XT and a white Lexus Jeep bearing the following registration number LSR304HW.
16 people were killed comprising of 11 Adults and 5 children who were burnt beyond recognition.
One person was identified and taken away by the Family while 4 other persons sustained burnt injuries.
Report from the investigation conducted into the crash revealed that it was occasioned by speed violation which led to loss of control. The impact of the crash triggered the gas cylinder that was conveyed in the bus into explosion leading to the unfortunate inferno that consumed the 16 lives.
The burnt bodies were evacuated and deposited at the morgue of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, Osun State, by the FRSC rescue team in collaboration with officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Odeomu Division.
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu who confirmed the incident warned against conveyance of explosive materials like gas cylinders in passenger vehicles.
The FRSC boss in a statement warned drivers against excessive speed following the crash that occurred.
Also , Osun State Sector command recently announced the return of #27,171,400 recovered from crash victims.
Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, expressed satisfaction over the good conduct, honesty and sense of patriotism exhibited by the personnel of the corps
The Corps Marshal said that multiple road accidents occurred in Ipetu Ijesa, Oriade local government of the state and claimed six lives while seven others sustained injuries.
Two commercial vehicles, an Opel and Toyota Sienna, were involved in the accident. The probable cause of the crash was excessive speeding.
Seven people were injured, six people died, and one person was not injured. The injured victims were taken to Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, while the corpses of the deceased were deposited at the same hospital morgue.