A tragic accident occurred on Friday in the Ikangba area of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, when a truck reportedly lost control and struck a group of students from Seico Secondary School. One female student, who was believed to be taking part in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), died at the scene, while another sustained critical injuries.
The unfortunate event happened along the recently renovated Ikangba/Agoro Road as the students were heading home after completing their exam for the day.
An eyewitness, Mr. Eko Nicholas, a resident of the area, shared with Saturday PUNCH that the truck was coming from the Molipa axis when it suddenly swerved from its path and hit the students. It then crashed into the fence of a nearby parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
“No one is sure why the truck veered off the road, but it collided with the students walking in the opposite direction before slamming into the church fence,” Nicholas recounted.
He noted that the students were holding their exam papers, confirming they were WASSCE candidates. “One of the girls died instantly, and another was seriously injured. We are all hoping she pulls through,” he added.
Nicholas, who also serves as the Chairman of the Ogun State branch of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), expressed concern over the increasing number of accidents on that stretch of road since its rehabilitation.
He attributed the recurring accidents to the absence of traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps or breakers, which could help curb reckless driving.
“This is another avoidable tragedy on Ikangba/Agoro Road. Since February, six lives have been lost here, not to mention the many injuries sustained by others,” he lamented.
He renewed the CDWR’s appeal to the state government to urgently install speed breakers and street lighting to protect road users, especially schoolchildren who frequently walk along the route.
Nicholas mentioned that the CDWR had previously submitted formal complaints to the authorities but had yet to receive a response.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), confirmed the incident.
“Our officers have reported the crash. Unfortunately, one student lost her life in the accident,” he said during a phone conversation.
