On August 29, 2024, a devastating accident occurred on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun State, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The incident was triggered when a truck, reportedly driving against the flow of traffic, collided violently with another truck.
According to an unnamed traffic official who provided insights into the accident, one of the drivers was speeding in the opposite direction when the collision took place. The official, who preferred to remain anonymous due to restrictions on speaking to the media, described the scene as chaotic, with traffic heavily affected near the Nairaland Oil and Gas filling station.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, confirmed the details of the incident. He reported that two trucks were involved: an unregistered DAF truck and another DAF truck bearing the license plate number URM164XA. A total of three individuals were involved in the crash, with two fatalities and one person sustaining serious injuries.
Akinbiyi elaborated that the driver of the unregistered truck died instantly at the scene, while a crew member from the other truck succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The deceased driver was transported to the morgue at Ijebu-Ode General Hospital, while the second victim’s body was returned to his family by the police.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the unregistered DAF truck was operating at excessive speed and was in violation of traffic rules as it drove against the designated flow. It collided head-on with the green DAF truck, which was appropriately positioned in its lane. The driver of the white DAF truck died at the scene, and the motor boy of the green DAF truck later died due to the severity of injuries sustained during the crash.
In response to the tragic event, Akinbiyi expressed heartfelt condolences to the families affected and urged all motorists to exercise caution and avoid speeding, particularly on busy highways. He emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic regulations to prevent such catastrophic accidents.
This incident is part of a broader concern regarding road safety in the region. Just a few months earlier, on May 11, another fatal accident was reported in the Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by drivers on these roads. Akinbiyi had previously attributed that incident to reckless driving and speeding, which caused a vehicle to lose control.
In conclusion, the recent collision on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and the need for greater awareness and adherence to traffic regulations among all road users. The authorities continue to call for vigilance and responsibility to prevent further tragedies on the roads.
