AKUNGBA-AKOKO, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s Attorney-General has vowed to bring justice to the victims of the fatal truck accident in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, promising a full-scale investigation and tough action against the truck owner and driver.
In a statement Thursday, the Attorney-General described the crash as “a preventable tragedy caused by negligence and lack of regulatory enforcement,” while calling for an urgent review of truck operators’ safety protocols.
“The lives of our people are paramount. We will not allow profit to take precedence over safety,” he said. “We must ensure strict compliance with operational standards, safety regulations, and driver training. This government will not tolerate lawlessness on our roads.”
He urged citizens to report reckless driving involving heavy-duty trucks, assuring that the government remains committed to enforcing road safety and protecting lives. “As the community grapples with its grief, the clamour for stricter regulations and accountability among commercial transport operators grows louder. Such senseless tragedies must never happen again,” he added.
The Attorney-General also commiserated with the families of the deceased, pledging that they would receive justice.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa echoed this stance, directing safety agencies to intensify enforcement on the state’s highways. “Lives are being lost due to carelessness and poor enforcement. We will make examples of those responsible,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Group on Thursday refuted claims linking it to the truck involved in the accident. “The company wishes to make it clear that the truck involved in the unfortunate incident does not belong to Dangote Group or any of its subsidiaries,” the company said in a statement.
At the scene of the tragedy, grieving families and residents expressed anger and frustration over what they described as “government negligence.”
Mrs. Racheal Oladimeji, whose son was among the victims, said through tears: “My boy was just 22. He was coming home from school. How many times will these trucks kill our children before the government acts?”
Another resident, Sunday Adesina, said the community has suffered repeated accidents involving heavy trucks on the same stretch of road. “This is not the first time. We have cried to the authorities for years. We need concrete action, not just condolences,” he said.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced investigations into the truck’s ownership, maintenance history, and compliance with transport laws.
