Two middle-aged brothers met a gruesome death on Wednesday when an unregistered tipper truck rammed into the motorcycle they were riding along Fiwasaye Road in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The fatal accident occurred in front of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) along the busy Fiwasaye road. Angry residents alleged that VIO operatives caused the accident by stopping vehicles to check papers, leading to heavy traffic congestion.
The crash involved an unregistered tipper truck, a Nissan vehicle with registration number Ondo WWW-327 TA, and an unregistered Mate 90 motorcycle. The victims were identified as Lawal Adegoke and his brother, both popular fruit sellers operating within the Iyeoma axis in the Alagbaka area.
Following the collision, the two brothers were rushed to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Akure (FUTATH), where medical personnel confirmed them dead on arrival.
A witness who identified himself as Kunle stated that the tipper rammed into vehicles and motorcycles in the congested traffic. He added that he had to flee for his life and that his own vehicle suffered serious damage.
It took the intervention of the Nigeria Police Force to prevent angry youths from attacking the VIO office and the operatives. After calm was restored, police officers from the Ijapo Division evacuated the victims' bodies to the morgue.
The police public relations officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident. He stated that police operatives swiftly responded to the scene, took photographs, and carried out necessary documentation.
“In the aftermath of the incident, some angry youths attempted to attack officials of the VIO who were present there over the unfortunate development,” Jimoh said. “However, police personnel at the scene acted promptly and professionally to prevent a breakdown of law and order, ensuring that the situation was brought under control without further escalation.”
The command commiserates with the families of the deceased and urges motorists to always exercise caution, maintain safe speed limits, and ensure strict adherence to traffic regulations to prevent avoidable loss of life. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.
