Mayhem as Dangote truck kills couple, four others in Ogun
MARCH 23, 2013
There was mayhem in Ibese, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State on Thursday after a couple and four other persons were crushed to death by a truck belonging to Dangote Cement Company.
The couple was said to be riding on a motorcycle when the incident occurred.
The driver of the vehicle escaped with his truck from the scene of the accident. This incensed members of the community, who allegedly descended on two other trucks belonging to the cement company and burnt them.
In the process, witnesses said a truck driver was consumed in the inferno as he was unable to escape from the trailer before the mob attacked it.
The state police command swiftly deployed about 50 armed policemen in the area to bring the situation under control and to forestall further destruction.
The Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Itori, Mr. Fatai Bakare, told our correspondent that the fatal accident was due to the recklessness of the truck driver.
He said the driver lost control of his truck and crushed the couple and five others.
Bakare said the number plates of the trucks were removed before the arrival of the FRSC and other security operatives.
He explained that two motorcycles carrying three passengers each, including the couple, were crushed by the trailer.
The FRSC unit commander added that the corpses of the victims had been deposited at the Ilaro General Hospital mortuary.
“It was an accident involving three trucks belonging to a cement company but before we got there, the number plates of the trucks were already removed.
“Seven people died in the accident, including a husband and wife riding on a motorbike. It involved six males and one female and their bodies have been deposited at the Ilaro General Hospital morgue.
“As expected, people reacted angrily and burnt down two trucks of the cement company. The accident was a result of recklessness on the part of the driver which led to the loss of control. Truck drivers along that route are generally reckless and FRSC is doing all that is necessary to put the situation under control,” he said.
The spokesman for the state police command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, however said only four persons lost their lives in the accident.
Adejobi said on the phone that it was a fatal accident involving three trailers and two bikes. He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, had since Thursday night relocated to the town, and held meetings with the traditional ruler, youths organisations and the management of Dangote Cement Company.
“Since yesterday, the commissioner of police has been holding meetings with the traditional ruler, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, and all the stakeholders in the area on how best to manage the situation,” he stated.
The Head, Corporate Communications of Dangote Cement, Anthony Chiejina, in a statement denied that the trailer which crushed the victims belonged to the cement company.
Chiejina described the development as unfortunate, adding that the company’s officials were on ground to assess the situation and provide necessary assistance to the community.
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