A fatal road accident in the Oja-Oba area of Ikirun, Osun State, has reignited public concern over the safety of heavy-duty vehicles operating in populated areas.
The incident, which occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, involved a sand-laden truck that reportedly suffered brake failure before veering off the road and crashing into roadside structures. The impact left two people dead, a man and a pregnant woman, and several others injured.
Eyewitnesses said the victims, including pedestrians and shop owners, were caught off guard as the truck ploughed through the area, destroying property and scattering goods. “It all happened in seconds. People were screaming and running in different directions,” one shop owner recounted.
Emergency teams, including an ambulance service, arrived swiftly to evacuate victims. A young male survivor with serious injuries is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
As of press time, authorities had not issued an official statement or released the names of the deceased.
Residents say the tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, regular mechanical inspections of heavy-duty trucks, and designated routes that keep such vehicles away from crowded marketplaces.
“This is not the first time brake failure has caused deaths here,” a community leader lamented. “We need action, not just sympathy.”
The accident adds to a growing list of fatal crashes linked to poorly maintained commercial vehicles in Osun State, sparking renewed calls for government intervention to prevent further loss of lives.
