At least six people, including a motorcyclist, lost their lives on Tuesday after a trailer carrying 45,000 litres of petrol lost control and rammed into several tricycles in Ibadan. Many others were injured in the crash.
The accident happened around the Fruits Market along the Oje–Beere route in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area. Witnesses said the trailer suffered brake failure while descending the busy Mapo–Beere–Oje road.
One of the affected tricycle riders, Ademola Aderibigbe, who escaped with minor leg injuries, said he was lucky to be alive.
“I was near Beere roundabout, testing my tricycle after leaving the mechanic workshop. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise that pushed me aside. By the time I got out, the trailer was already speeding towards Oje,” he recounted.
He added that the truck crushed more than five tricycles, killing several people instantly. “There was a woman whose remains had to be packed in polythene,” he said.
Another eyewitness, Suleiman Oguntayo, described the incident as yet another tragedy on the route, which has become notorious for accidents.
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“The driver lost control from the Beere end, ran over two tricycles and killed passengers before heading towards Oje market, where more people died. Others have been taken to hospitals,” he said.
A grieving relative at the Mapo Divisional Police Station revealed that one of the victims had just celebrated the birth of a child days earlier.
“My brother is gone. He left behind a 10-day-old baby,” the relative said in tears.
Some locals believe the death toll could be higher, as not all victims were immediately identified.
Police authorities confirmed the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing and the case will be handled by the Criminal Investigation Department.
