The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that four persons lost their lives in a fatal road accident involving a truck and a commercial bus along the busy Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway in Ogun State.
The tragic crash occurred on Monday night at the Ijebu-Imushin axis of the highway, a major route linking several communities in the southwest and frequently used by travellers heading toward the eastern part of the country.
Authorities said the victims, comprising two men and two women, died instantly at the scene due to the severity of the collision.
According to the Ogun State Sector Command of the FRSC, the accident involved a truck that was being towed and a speeding Toyota commercial bus.
Speaking on the incident, the sector’s Superintendent Route Commander, Odunsin Afolabi, confirmed that all four occupants of the bus sustained fatal injuries.
Regrettably, all four individuals involved in the crash, comprising two male adults and two female adults, sustained fatal injuries and were confirmed dead at the scene, he said.
Afolabi added that no survivor or injured person was recorded in the crash, highlighting the devastating nature of the impact.
Preliminary investigations by the FRSC indicate that the crash was caused by a combination of speeding and mechanical failure involving the truck being towed.
According to the road safety official, the towing vehicle was pulling a truck when the towing chain suddenly snapped.
The mechanical failure left the truck stranded on the highway, creating a dangerous obstruction on the road.
Moments later, a Toyota bus approaching the location at high speed reportedly rammed into the stationary truck, resulting in the fatal crash.
“The truck was being towed when the towing chain snapped, and the speeding Toyota bus subsequently rammed into the stationary truck,” Afolabi explained.
He further disclosed that the driver of the towing vehicle fled the scene shortly after the accident occurred, raising concerns about accountability.
Authorities say efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the driver.
The FRSC said its rescue team responded swiftly to the incident after receiving an emergency alert.
Officials reported that the team arrived at the crash site within eight minutes, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to rapid response during emergencies.
Rescue personnel evacuated the bodies of the victims from the wreckage and transported them to the mortuary at the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode.
Meanwhile, officers from the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Imushin Division have taken custody of the damaged vehicles involved in the crash.
Police authorities have also launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following the accident, the Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Akinwunmi Fasakin, urged motorists to strictly obey traffic regulations in order to prevent avoidable road tragedies.
He particularly warned drivers against excessive speeding, especially during night travel when visibility is often reduced.
Fasakin also emphasised the importance of ensuring that towing equipment used for broken-down vehicles is properly secured and meets safety standards before being deployed on highways.
According to him, mechanical failures during towing operations can create dangerous road conditions and increase the risk of fatal accidents.
The accident has once again drawn attention to the growing concern over road safety on major highways across Nigeria.
Experts have repeatedly warned that speeding, poor vehicle maintenance and improper towing practices remain leading causes of road crashes across the country.
The Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway, in particular, is known for heavy traffic movement and has recorded several accidents in the past.
Road safety authorities continue to urge motorists to exercise caution, maintain safe driving speeds and ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on long journeys.
The FRSC reiterated that adherence to traffic rules and proper vehicle maintenance remain critical to reducing road fatalities and ensuring safer highways for all road users.
