Tragic Truck Crash Claims Life of Ekiti University Student
A devastating accident occurred on March 26, 2026, in Oke-Ila, Aramoko-Ekiti, when a heavy-duty truck crashed into a residential building, resulting in the death of Promise Farotimi, a 21-year-old 300-level student of Building Technology at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). The young man was asleep at the time of the incident, highlighting the sudden and tragic nature of the event.
Father's Heartbreaking Appeal for Justice
Mr. Rufus Farotimi, the grief-stricken father of the deceased, has made a passionate appeal to authorities for justice. Speaking to Hope Newspaper, he described the loss as devastating, noting that he has lost both his son and his home in the crash. "My son was the one killed, and I am the owner of the house. This accident has destroyed my house. I've lost my child and my shelter. I don't even have clothes anymore; what I'm wearing was given to me by my younger brother," he said.
Mr. Farotimi called on security agencies to arrest the fleeing truck driver, identified as Shuaibu Yusuf from documents recovered at the scene, and to compel the company linked to the vehicle to take responsibility. He lamented that three days after the incident, the driver remains at large, and the truck has not been removed from the site.
Community Concerns Over Road Safety
The father and local residents have raised serious concerns about the poor state of the Ado-Aramoko-Itawure Road, a major federal route in Ekiti State. Mr. Farotimi described the road as very bad and always busy with heavy-duty vehicles, and they are always speeding. This sentiment was echoed by Mrs. Caroline Ogunleye, a neighbour and community leader, who blamed reckless driving and the deteriorating road condition for the preventable tragedy.
Mrs. Ogunleye recalled that similar accidents have occurred in the area, including one three years ago that claimed the lives of two siblings. She urged companies to prioritize vehicle maintenance and employ experienced drivers, while calling on the government to urgently repair the road and implement measures to regulate traffic and curb speeding. "The government also needs to repair this road and introduce measures to slow down vehicles. We cannot continue like this," she emphasized.
Investigation and Broader Implications
The Ado-Aramoko-Itawure Road serves as a key transit corridor connecting the South-West to the North, with frequent movement of trucks heading towards Lagos-Ibadan and Kogi State. This heavy traffic exacerbates the risks on the already hazardous road. Meanwhile, SP Sunday Abutu, spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, confirmed that the case has been transferred to the State Traffic Section for a thorough investigation, which is ongoing.
This incident underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures and infrastructure maintenance in Ekiti State to prevent future tragedies.
