UK returnee, four others die in Ogun highway tragedies

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Five persons, including a woman who recently returned from the United Kingdom for a wedding, have died in two separate road crashes along the Lagos-Ibadan and Ijebu-Ode/Ore expressways in Ogun State.

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PUNCH Metro gathered on Tuesday that the first incident occurred at about 11:16 p.m. on Monday along the Ijebu-Imushin axis of the Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway.

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According to the spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Afolabi Odunsi, the crash involved a Toyota Hiace bus and a MAN Diesel truck belonging to Julius Berger.

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Odunsi explained that the truck was being towed when the towing chain snapped, leaving it stationary on the road, after which the speeding bus rammed into it.

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“At approximately 23:16hrs, a white Toyota Hiace bus collided with a blue MAN Diesel truck. The truck was being towed when the towing chain snapped. The speeding bus subsequently rammed into the stationary truck,” he said.

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He noted that four occupants of the bus—two men and two women—died on the spot, with no survivors recorded.

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“The FRSC operatives evacuated the victims and deposited their remains at the State Hospital morgue in Ijebu Ode, while the Nigerian Police, Imushin Division, has taken over the case for further investigation,” he added.

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Reacting, the Sector Commander, Akinwunmi Fasakin, urged motorists to adhere strictly to speed limits, particularly during night travel, and ensure that towing equipment meets safety standards.

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In a separate incident, a woman who had just returned from the UK lost her life in a crash along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at about 5:48 p.m. on the same day.

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The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency spokesperson, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the deceased was travelling in a Toyota Camry with two other occupants when the car rammed into a moving truck near Christopher University.

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“According to eyewitnesses, the driver was on excessive speed and rammed into a moving truck. Three persons were involved—one male and two females. One female died, while the other two sustained injuries,” he said.

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Akinbiyi added that the deceased was deposited at the Redeemed Hospital morgue, while the injured victims were taken to the Famobis Hospital and Redeemed Hospital for treatment.

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Findings by our correspondent revealed that the deceased and another female occupant had just returned from the UK to attend a wedding in Abeokuta before the tragic incident.

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While commiserating with the families of the victims, Akinbiyi reiterated the need for motorists to avoid excessive speeding and obey traffic regulations.

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He noted that despite sustained sensitisation campaigns and enforcement efforts by the state government, many drivers continue to disregard traffic rules.

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“Motorists must understand that speeding and reckless driving have dire consequences. We will continue to enforce compliance to ensure the safety of lives and property on our roads,” he added.

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