Tragedy struck on Friday night at the Alapoka axis of the Papalanto–Ilaro Road in Ogun State when a Dangote Cement truck reportedly suffered brake failure and crashed into a commercial tricycle, killing all five occupants instantly.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 8:25 p.m. and involved an unregistered tricycle and a Dangote truck with registration number GRZ 767 XA.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, confirmed the incident, explaining that the truck driver did not immediately realize he had hit the tricycle until the crash had already caused catastrophic damage.
“The impact was so severe that the tricycle was completely crushed beneath the truck’s tyres, leading to the instant death of all five passengers,” Akinbiyi stated.
Following the crash, an emergency response team led by Acting TRACE Head, Adedayo Omonayajo, and the Ilaro Divisional Commander, Salako Idowu, arrived at the scene to carry out rescue operations.
However, the situation turned tense as irate residents attempted to attack the rescue team in protest of the tragic deaths.
Security operatives, including members of the Amotekun Corps, were deployed to restore calm and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, later evacuated the victims’ remains and deposited them at a morgue.
