Nine Killed As Bus, Truck Collide In Ogun

Nine people have been killed in a road traffic crash involving a commercial bus and a truck in the Bethel Area of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Sector Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson Afolabi Odunsi, confirmed that the crash occurred at about 4:55pm on Monday at the Bethel Area, along the JBD/ORE route within the Ijebu-Ode Unit Command.

According to the FRSC, the crash involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino Truck commercial vehicle belonging to Bill Gas Solution Ltd.

The nine victims comprised three males and six females, all of whom died in the crash.

The crash occurred while it was raining, leaving the road pavement wet. Preliminary investigation identified speed violation as the probable cause of the accident.

“A total of nine persons, comprising three male and six female, were involved in the crash. Sadly, all nine persons were killed in the incident.

“The crash occurred while the weather was raining, with the road pavement wet. The road itself was paved. Preliminary investigation identified speed violation (SPV) as the probable cause of the crash,” the statement said.

The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene at about 4:58pm, two minutes after receiving the report.

The deceased victims were evacuated and deposited at the General Hospital Morgue, Ijebu-Ode, while the vehicles were towed to the Ilese Police Station by the Ilese Police Motor Traffic Division.

The Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, to exercise maximum caution while driving in the rain.

He advised motorists to obey speed limits, maintain safe following distances and avoid driving behaviours that could endanger lives.

Ogunjobi also warned that speeding becomes more dangerous on wet roads because reduced tyre grip and visibility can make it difficult for motorists to control their vehicles or stop safely.

The FRSC condoled with the families of the victims and urged all road users to make safety a priority at all times.