Two men have died and 15 others injured in a lone truck accident that happened on Wednesday at Iwo Road Junction along the Osogbo-Gbongan expressway in Osun State.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osun Sector Command, the crash was caused by mechanical problems and driver fatigue.
The Sector Commander, Leye Adegboyega, said in a statement that the truck was a DAF vehicle carrying both animals and human passengers. It was travelling from Kebbi State to Ikire in Osun.
He explained, “The truck was carrying about 70 animals — cows, goats, and sheep — and human passengers were sitting on top of the animals. The driver had reportedly dozed off more than once after passing Osogbo. When he got to the Surprise Hotel area in Gbongan, he slept off again, and the truck veered off the road into a ditch.”
The crash caused the truck to overturn, throwing both animals and passengers off the vehicle.
Agnes Ogungbemi, the FRSC Sector Public Education Officer, said 15 people were injured in the crash — 13 men and two women — while two men were confirmed dead at the scene.
Adegboyega said, “Two injured victims and one of the dead bodies were taken to Adeoye Medical Centre in Gbongan. The remaining 13 injured persons and the other body were taken to Ariremako Medical Centre, also in Gbongan.”
The truck has since been taken over by the Nigeria Police at Gbongan Division.
The FRSC Commander used the opportunity to warn drivers against using faulty vehicles or driving while tired.
“All vehicles that are not roadworthy should be kept off the highway. I urge all motorists to drive carefully,” he said.
