A devastating accident occurred on Tuesday morning in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, claiming the lives of three Junior Secondary School students and a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an Okada rider. The incident took place on the Abanla-Idi-Ayunre road when the students were on their way to school.
According to multiple witnesses, the accident happened when the driver of a commercial truck operating in the area attempted to overtake another vehicle but failed, resulting in the truck ramming into the motorcycle carrying the three students. The force of the impact crushed the motorcycle and its occupants, causing instant death to the rider and two of the students. The third student was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was eventually pronounced dead.
An eyewitness, Akinola Owoeye, described the scene, saying, “The commercial motorcyclist and two students died immediately while the third student was eventually pronounced dead at a nearby hospital where he was rushed to.” Another eyewitness corroborated the account, stating, “The truck fatally crushed the commercial motorcycle carrying the three students, all at once. All of them, including the rider, are dead now.”
The incident sparked widespread outrage and grief, with distraught students pouring into the streets, blocking the road, and demanding justice and urgent government intervention. Commercial motorcyclists and residents joined in solidarity, condemning the recurring danger posed by heavy-duty vehicles on the route.
The Chairman of the Oluyole Local Government Area, Akeem Olatunji, rushed to the scene and confirmed the accident. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the young lives and condemned the recklessness of some trailer drivers operating in the area and commercial motorcyclists in their rush for quick money. Olatunji attributed the accident to the failure of the commercial motorcyclist to adhere to traffic rules, including the number of passengers allowed.
The chairman assured the families of the students that justice would be served and that the council would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the driver was found and brought to book. He also assured the public that the construction company that owns the truck would be made to compensate the bereaved families. “This is one tragedy too many,” Olatunji lamented. “We cannot continue to lose our children to preventable road accidents due to reckless drivers and riders who are bent on violating our laws at will.”
To prevent future accidents, Olatunji directed that speed bumps be constructed on the road without delay, saying, “We must take firm steps to slow down these trailers and protect our people, especially schoolchildren.” As of press time, the state Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Rosemary Alo, could not be reached for comment. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, with many calling for increased measures to ensure road safety and prevent such tragedies in the future.
