A cement-carrying truck has crushed several persons, including a pregnant woman, along the Akungba-Owo highway, Ondo State when the driver lost control and overran the barricade erected at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) main gate before colliding with pedestrians.
Penpushing reports that the truck was reportedly heading from Ikare to Akungba but had a brake failure which led to the sad development, while a viral video which surfaced online immediately after the accident occurred saw students of the university making efforts to rescue those crushed under the truck
The Student Union Government (SUG) Public Relations Officer of the university, Ajidagba Mosadoluwa, in a statement said 10 people lost their lives in the accident, while at the time the video was circulated, there were no rescue personnel from the police or the Road Safety Corps.
“We regret to inform the entire student populace that an articulated vehicle belonging to Dangote Group of Companies suffered a brake failure from Ikare en route to Akungba, and destroyed by accident the permanent barricade erected at the university main gate,” the statement read.
“As it stands, close to 10 persons have lost their lives due to this tragic incident. As we can recollect, the students’ union has made several efforts to ensure that trucks stop plying Akungba roads as they can pose a danger to the lives and property of our students’, the statement reads
Penpushing further reports that the statement urged students to stay calm to ensure peace and order within the school community, assuring that the union would continue to be in the struggle to protect the students.
The statement claimed that the affected truck is owned by the Dangote Group, but the company strongly rejected the claim saying the verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB, is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group.
Penpushing also reports that the Dangote, however, maintained that many of the trucks are not owned by the company but by independent logistics companies, which choose to brand their vehicles with its permission.
The company emphasized that it maintains a policy where all its trucks are properly branded, tracked, and operated by trained personnel under rigorous safety and compliance standards.
Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report authorities were yet to respond to the development, but witnesses declared that not less than 10 people lost their lives in the accident.
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