15 dead, 38 injured as truck plunges into river in Ogun

No fewer than 15 lives were lost in an accident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, when a truck plunged into Ome-River near Oru Ijebu area of Ogun State, along the Ibadan/Ijebu-Ode highway.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ogun State Command and the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), the victims were reported to be travelling from Sokoto to Ijebu-Ode, in a white coloured Mistibushi Canter Truck, before the unfortunate incident happened.

The Public Relations of TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said 65 passengers were in the ill-fated vehicle which was also loaded with guinea fowls meant for delivery at a farm in Ijebu-Ode.

He attributed the cause to wrongful overtaking and excessive speeding.

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Akinbiyi said: “We learnt from an eye witness that the Mitsubishi Canter was coming from Sokoto inbound Ijebu-Ode.

“The driver due to excessive speeding almost rammed into an oncoming trailer and in the process fell into a ditch.

“The White Mitsubishi Canter was loaded with Guinea Fowls meant to be deposited at a farm.”

The FRSC Sector Commander, Clement Oladele, said the remains of those who lost their lives were evacuated and taken to Sabo in Ijebu-Ode, for burial by the Hausa community, while those injured were taken to the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, for medical attention.

Oladele advised passengers not to board vehicles designated for goods only to avoid a similar occurrence.