A tragic road accident has once again plunged Ondo State into mourning after a pregnant woman and nine other people were confirmed dead in a devastating crash involving a cement-laden truck in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.
Horror at Akungba-Akoko: How the Tragedy Happened
Eyewitnesses recounted that the fatal incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, near the main gate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA). The victims, many of whom were pedestrians and local residents, were crushed when the truck, reportedly belonging to Dangote Cement, lost control and rammed into shops and passers-by along the busy stretch of the road.
The ill-fated truck was said to be coming from Obajana in Kogi State and was fully loaded with bags of cement. According to local sources, the driver reportedly struggled to regain control after the vehicle suffered an alleged brake failure while descending the hilly portion of the road. Within seconds, it veered off the lane, hitting several people and destroying vehicles and motorcycles parked by the roadside.
Scene of Chaos and Despair
Residents described the aftermath as “heartbreaking.” Bodies of victims, including the pregnant woman, lay lifeless as bystanders rushed to offer help. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
An eyewitness identified as Tunde Akinyele, who narrowly escaped the accident, said:
“I was just a few meters away when I heard people shouting that the truck’s brake had failed. Before anyone could run, it had already crushed several people. The scene was terrible; there was blood everywhere.”
Another resident expressed anger over the recurring accidents in the area, saying that the government had failed to take decisive steps despite several previous tragedies at the same spot.
Recurring Tragedies at Akungba-Akoko Axis
The Akungba-Akoko road has gained a grim reputation for frequent accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles. In past years, multiple crashes involving articulated trucks have claimed dozens of lives—many of them students of Adekunle Ajasin University and local traders.
What has fueled the outrage this time is the revelation that the barricade earlier installed to prevent articulated trucks from passing through the town had reportedly been removed, allowing large trucks to once again ply the dangerous route. Residents and students argue that the removal directly contributed to the disaster.
Reactions from the Community and Eyewitnesses
The atmosphere in Akungba-Akoko on Thursday morning was tense, with many residents protesting the government’s perceived negligence. Shop owners counted heavy losses, and some of the victims were said to be traders closing for the day when the incident happened.
Community leaders have called for urgent government intervention to restrict the movement of articulated vehicles through the town and to reinstate the barricade to avoid further tragedies.
A youth leader in the community lamented:
“We have cried out several times. This is not the first, second, or even third time a Dangote truck will kill people here. The government must act now before we lose more lives.”
Government and Security Response
Security personnel, including officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police Force, were quickly mobilized to the scene to control the situation and evacuate victims. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at the University Teaching Hospital morgue in Akungba, while the injured were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
An FRSC official confirmed the casualty figure, noting that 10 people were confirmed dead on the spot, while others sustained severe injuries. The official attributed the crash to brake failure and excessive speed, emphasizing that mechanical negligence and poor road discipline continue to cause needless loss of lives across the country.
Calls for Accountability and Preventive Action
The incident has renewed calls for stricter regulations on heavy-duty trucks, especially those belonging to major transport and manufacturing companies. Concerned citizens have urged the Ondo State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works to carry out a comprehensive assessment of accident-prone routes and implement urgent road safety measures.
Students of Adekunle Ajasin University have also expressed deep sorrow over the incident, noting that similar accidents in previous years had claimed the lives of their colleagues. The Student Union Government (SUG) of the university has demanded a permanent ban on trucks passing through the university community, stressing that Akungba has turned into a “death trap” for motorists and pedestrians.
A Community in Mourning
As families mourn their loved ones, the Akungba community is enveloped in grief. Markets remained partially closed on Thursday in honor of the victims, while several residents gathered in groups, recounting the horrific event.
Religious and community leaders held prayer sessions, calling on both the government and corporate organizations to take human safety more seriously. The tragic loss of a pregnant woman and nine others has become yet another painful reminder of the fragile state of road safety across Nigeria.
