A tragic road accident rocked Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State on Wednesday night when a Dangote cement laden truck reportedly lost control and struck several persons, killing a pregnant woman, a child, and six others. The incident occurred on the Owo Akungba Ikare expressway close to Adekunle Ajasin University.
Dangote Truck Mishap: What Happened
According to BusinessDay, the truck swerved off the roadway and ploughed into shops lining the route, creating mass casualties. An eyewitness recounted:
“The truck was coming from up, we couldn’t say if the barricade was opened … like five people have died while we don’t know how many are under the trailer now.” According to Dailypost
When contacted, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the crash and provided further details. Their Ondo Sector Commander, Samuel Ibitoye, explained.
READ ALSO:FG Releases ₦32.9 Billion to Primary Healthcare Facilities in Nigeria
“The incident involved a truck loaded with bags of cement. It ran into a barricade in front of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, then lost control, resulting in the crash.”
He added that at least eight individuals died, including five males, two females, and one male child.
This is not the first time the Akungba-Akoko corridor has witnessed deadly crashes involving heavy trucks. In previous years, community leaders installed barricades to restrict the movement of large vehicles into the area. However, locals allege that some of those barricades were removed or bypassed, putting lives in danger again.
One resident lamented:
“This led to the installation of barricades then, but unfortunately, a Dangote truck still claimed several lives including a pregnant woman in the same Akungba Akoko today… What happened to the barricade?”
Another citizen claimed that at times, barricades were opened or used as gate points for collecting fees from truck drivers a practice critics say compromises public safety.
FRSC, Dangote Move After Akungba Mishap
After the crash, FRSC operatives and other rescue teams rushed to the scene to recover bodies and clear debris. Ibitoye, the FRSC commander, also used the opportunity to call on motorists and commercial drivers to maintain their vehicles properly and always adhere to traffic rules.
Local voices, including the Students’ Union Government at AAUA, expressed shock and grief over the tragedy, noting that the university community has long lobbied for strict bans on heavy trucks plying its roadways.
This harrowing crash is a glaring reminder of the deadly consequences when heavy vehicles operate unchecked in dangerous zones. As the community mourns, questions linger about enforcement, road infrastructure, and accountability for those who permit risky operations on such routes.
In the words of one local:
“Akungba has always been like that … It saddens that the king, chiefs, and political leaders are toying with people’s lives.”
Ondo State and federal authorities must ensure that such preventable loss of life is never repeated.
