A tragic accident in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, has left at least eight people dead after a truck loaded with cement lost control and rammed into roadside shops on Wednesday evening.
Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the horrifying crash happened near the Holy Trinity Church in the Akoko South-West Local Government Area, plunging the community home to Adekunle Ajasin University into mourning.
According to reports, the trailer, which was descending from a steep hill, allegedly suffered brake failure before crashing through barricades and plowing into several roadside shops packed with people.
An eyewitness told Leadership that the scene was chaotic, with screams filling the air as bystanders struggled to rescue those trapped under the truck.
“The driver lost control and swerved off the road. We heard a loud crash, and before we knew it, people were gone,” the source said.
Among the victims was a pregnant woman, whose body was later recovered from beneath the wreckage.
Rescue workers, aided by locals, retrieved several other bodies, which were taken to a nearby hospital morgue.
Confirming the incident, Ondo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Samuel Ibitoye, said eight people died instantly five men, two women, and one male child.
He noted that the truck was heavily loaded with cement bags when it rammed into the barricade in front of the university.
The tragedy prompted a swift visit from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami.
The governor described the accident as “a rude shock and deeply saddening,” offering condolences to the Alale of Akungba Akoko, Oba Isiaka Oseni, and the bereaved families.
“We feel your pain,” Aiyedatiwa told mourners at the crash site.
“This heartbreaking incident was preventable if motorists obeyed traffic regulations.”
He announced plans to reinforce the damaged barricades and tighten safety measures on the busy Ikare-Akungba highway.
As of press time, emergency responders were still clearing the scene, while security agencies continued to assess the full extent of the casualties.
