Tragedy struck in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, October 12, as a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Oluwatosin Abidakun, was crushed to death by an articulated truck. The incident occurred just days after she resumed her primary assignment at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Details of the Fatal Crash
The crash happened around Agodi Gardens in Ibadan North Local Government Area, behind the Oyo State Government Secretariat. According to reports, Abidakun and another corps member were returning home after work when the truck rammed into their motorcycle. The impact killed Abidakun instantly and left her colleague injured.
The surviving corps member sustained a leg injury and was rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for medical treatment. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the fatal crash and the evacuation of the injured victim.
Eyewitness Accounts and Driver's Alleged Escape
Eyewitnesses told PUNCH that the truck had reportedly been involved in several collisions around the Sango area before proceeding towards Agodi Gardens, where it struck the motorcycle. One eyewitness alleged that the driver attempted to flee after the earlier collisions. However, the circumstances surrounding the earlier crashes and the driver's alleged attempt to escape had not been independently established in the reports.
As of the time of reporting, there was no official confirmation that the truck driver had been arrested.
Reaction from Oyo Assembly Speaker
Reacting to the tragedy, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, expressed deep sorrow over Abidakun's death. Ogundoyin described the loss as particularly heartbreaking because the young corps member had only just begun her service year, with hopes and aspirations for the future.
He extended his condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and fellow corps members, while also expressing concern for the injured survivor and wishing them a speedy recovery.
Abidakun's death has cut short her national service barely after it began, leaving her loved ones and colleagues to mourn a young life lost in a road crash.
