Passenger bus up in flames on Ijebu Ode-Benin highway, 4 burnt to death
No fewer than four persons were burnt to death on Sunday in a lone accident involving a 14-passenger commercial bus at Atoyo, inbound Ogbere on Ijebu Ode -Benin expressway.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, the spokesman for Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), confirmed the incident to reporters in Abeokuta.
Mr. Akinbiyi, who said that the accident occurred around 11:50 a.m., noted that it was caused by brake failure and disobedience on the part of the driver of the bus.
“A tanker loaded with black oil inbounds Benin through the Ijebu Ode-Benin expressway, spilled its content on the road due to leakage from the tanker and had to stop when the attention of the driver was called by other drivers driving in the same direction.
“However, when TRACE, Federal Road Safety Corps and the police got to the scene, they had to divert and re-route traffic, so that inbound traffic to Benin could join the outbound traffic section.
“Because it is not safe for vehicles to drive on the black oil which has already covered the length and breath of the inbound section,” he said.
According to him, the driver of the commercial bus disobeyed the warning at the diversion point and chose to drive on the black oil.
“In the process, the driver experienced a break failure, lost control and ran into the bush hitting a tree in the process before the vehicle was engulfed in fire, burning four passengers to death out of the 14 on board the bus.
“The whereabouts of the remaining 10 can not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report,” he said.
He said that the deceased were burnt beyond recognition, adding that the number plate of the vehicle could not be ascertained.
Mr. Akinbiyi disclosed that the Ogbere Divisional Police command had taken over the case, saying the driver of the tanker loaded with the black oil is already in the custody of the police.
The TRACE spokesman called on drivers, particularly, commercial vehicle drivers to cooperate and show understanding with traffic managers so as to make the road safe for all users.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
World
Japan’s economy expands after recession
The economy grew at an annualised rate of 12.7 percent in the October-to-December period
Economy
Some ignore investments in Nigeria, but UK is interested: British diplomat
“Though some people think about Nigeria and investments and look the other way, we say ‘look this way.'”
Economy
EXCLUSIVE: Buhari quietly appoints Bashir Ahmad manager of lucrative petroleum ministry department
Officials said Mr. Ahmad, a presidency social media surrogate, was gleeful about his new appointment at DPR, despite lacking vital training in hydrocarbon regulations.
World
20 missing, 14 injured as landslide buries houses in Indonesia
A search was underway for the missing.
World
Peru foreign minister resigns for getting COVID-19 vaccine early
She claimed it was offered to her after she came in contact with several people who tested positive for COVID-19.
Lagos
Sanwo-Olu appoints ‘chief resilience officer’
The Gazette observed that LASRO’s website still portrayed Mr. Oki as the agency’s head and Ms. Dania, his deputy.
