At least six people lost their lives on Tuesday after a trailer carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) reportedly lost control and ran over multiple tricycles in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. Several others sustained injuries of varying severity.
Eyewitnesses reported that the accident took place near the Fruits Market along the Oje-Beere route in Ibadan South East Local Government Area.
According to initial accounts, the trailer experienced brake failure while descending the busy Mapo-Beere-Oje roads.
One of the affected tricycle drivers, Ademola Aderibigbe, who escaped with minor leg injuries, described his narrow escape:
“I was so lucky. I was around Beere roundabout, testing my tricycle after leaving the mechanic workshop. Suddenly, I heard a terrible sound pushing me aside. By the time I came out of the tricycle, the trailer was already heading towards the Oje axis.”
Aderibigbe added that the trailer crushed more than five tricycles, killing six people instantly.
“There was a woman whose remains were packed inside polythene,” he said.
Another witness, Suleiman Oguntayo, highlighted the frequency of accidents along the route:
“The driver lost control at Beere end of the road, running over two tricycles and killing the passengers before heading to the popular Oje market, where four more people died. Several others are receiving treatment at hospitals in town.”
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A relative of one of the victims, speaking at Mapo Divisional Police Station, mourned the loss of a loved one who had recently celebrated a family milestone:
“My brother is gone. He left behind a 10-day-old child.”
An Okada rider, who identified himself as Gafaru, suggested that the death toll might be higher than officially reported, noting that some bodies were packed in polythene and could not be easily identified.
The incident was confirmed by Oyo State Police authorities. A senior police officer stated that the case would be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Olayinka Ayanlade, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the accident but said the final casualty figures were still being determined.