Tragedy struck again in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, as a truck suspected to belong to Dangote Cement Company reportedly suffered brake failure on Wednesday evening, killing several residents.
Eyewitnesses told Peak Newspaper that the truck, heavily loaded with cement, lost control along the ever-busy Ikare–Akungba road before crashing into shops and passersby. Several people were said to be trapped under the vehicle, with rescue efforts ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
Although the actual number of casualties is yet to be confirmed, locals fear the death toll could be significant.
Rescue teams, including community volunteers and local security operatives, were seen struggling to remove bodies and survivors from the wreckage.
Residents, speaking with our correspondent, expressed deep anger and frustration over what they described as a recurring tragedy. They lamented that Dangote trucks have claimed dozens of lives in similar crashes within the community over the past few years, including students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).
“This is not the first or second time. We’ve lost too many people to these trucks,” said a visibly shaken resident. “We thought we were safe when a barricade was erected to prevent heavy-duty trucks from passing through this town, but some people removed it. Now look at what has happened again.”
It was gathered that the university is currently on sessional break, a situation that may have reduced the number of potential victims.
Community leaders have called on the Ondo State Government and relevant federal agencies to urgently restore the barricade and enforce strict road safety measures along the Akungba–Ikare axis to prevent further loss of lives.
More details later…
