Nigeria: Two killed, 15 injured in Osun auto crash

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday morning along the Osogbo/Gbongan road in Osun State, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuring 15 others. The accident involved a truck carrying about 70 animals, including cattle, goats, and sheep, alongside human passengers sitting on top of the animals.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the truck was heading to Ikire from Kebbi State when the accident happened. The driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing the truck to veer off the road and plunge into a roadside ditch, overturning and violently ejecting both animals and passengers.

Two fatalities were recorded at the scene, while 15 other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries. The FRSC officers responded to a distress call from the scene and took two injured victims and one dead body to a private hospital in Gbongan, while 13 other injured passengers and one corpse were taken to another private hospital also in Gbongan.

The FRSC Osun Sector Commander, Mr. Leye Adegboyega, warned that all vehicles that were not roadworthy would not be allowed on the state highway. He emphasized the importance of vehicle maintenance and safe driving practices to prevent such accidents.

The FRSC is investigating the cause of the accident, and preliminary findings suggest that the driver’s fatigue may have contributed to the crash. The agency is urging road users to prioritize safety and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such incidents.