Truck crushes couple, five others in Ogun

A couple (names withheld)and five others were crushed by a truck at Ibese in Yewa North local government area of the state on Friday.
Saturday Tribune learnt that the accident involved three artriculated vehicles  as a result of recklessness on the part of the drivers.
The couple were said to have become victims of circumstance when one of the trucks rammed into their motorcycle while two other motorcycles carrying five  passengers were also affected.
The unit commander of Itori Federal Road Safety Corps, Fatai Bakare confirmed the incident and blamed the truck drivers for reckless driving.
The number plates of the trucks according to the FRSC boss were said to have been removed before the arrival of the security operatives.
He said the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the Ilaro General hospital morgue.
“It was an accident involving three trucks belonging to a cement company but the number plates of the trucks were already removed before the men of  the FRSC got to the scene.
“Seven people died in the accident including a husband and wife on a bike. It involved six males and one female; 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.
When contacted the State police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi disagree with the FRSC saying that people who lost their lives were not more than four.
The PPRO in a telephone interview said it was a case of fatal accident involving the trailers and two motor bikes.
He explained that no fewer than 50 mobile and conventional police men had been drafted to the scene to maintain law and order.
He said the State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye had relocated to the town since Thursday to hold meetings with the traditional ruler, youths organizations and Dangote Cement Company on how best to manage the situation.
In a swift reaction, the Head, Corporate Communications of Dangote Cement, Anthony Chiejina, denied that the trailer which crushed the victims doesn’t belonged to the cement company.
Chiejina described the development as unfortunate adding that men of the company were on ground to ascertain the development and provide assistance to those who might have been affected.
“Dangote Cement Plc has learnt of a sad and unfortunate incident involving a cement dealer’s truck (not Dangote truck) resulting in loss of lives at Ibese, near Ilaro, Ogun State.
“The angry community immediately after, in reaction to the incident way laid Dangote Cement trucks,(both empty and cement loaded),coming to and from our plant, attacked the drivers and burnt the trucks.
“We are currently on ground to ascertain the development and provide assistance to those who might have been affected,” he said.