By Adeyinka Adeniran
A trailer allegedly belonging to a quarry company, located at Olohunde Ige Village along the Ijebu-Ode Road, Idi-Ayunre area, Oluyole local government at the weekend lost control, crushing three people and leaving one dead on the spot.
It was gathered that the life threatening injury suffered led to the death of one other victim after medical efforts proved abortive at the hospital.
The limb of the third victim has also been amputated in a desperate move to save her life.
The incident marks the second fatal crash involving the same company within three months, prompting outrage and grief in Oluyole council area with youths mounting barricade at the scene of the accident on Monday.
The Chairman of the Oluyole LG, Akeem Olatunji was also at the scene to calm the angry youths, assuring that the government would leave no stone unturned to bring the driver to book while also ensuring that the affected company properly compensate families of the victims in order to reduce the pain and trauma they have been subjected to as a result of the incident.
Addressing the youths, he said, most private companies in the council area have failed in the area of carrying out their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) especially by creating collaboration targeted at alleviating the suffering and socio-economic challenges of their host communities.
Corenews reports that just a few months ago, a Kulum Quarry truck caused a similar accident that claimed the lives of three students of Prospect High School, Aba Nla.
In the wake of that tragedy, the council chairman, had ordered the construction of speed breakers on the affected route to forestall future occurrences.
However, Saturday’s crash shows that the warnings and precautions have done little to change or curb the recklessness of the company’s drivers.
Speaking on the incident, Olatunji expressed deep sorrow and described the deaths as both painful and avoidable.
He condoled with the bereaved families and the Idi-Ayunre community, praying for strength and comfort for all those affected.
“This is another avoidable tragedy. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. No one should lose their loved ones in such a cruel manner, especially when it could have been prevented.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the safety of lives and property in Oluyole, adding that more speed bumps would be constructed along the Idi-Ayunre–Sabo road to curb reckless driving, particularly by heavy-duty vehicles.
He appealed to the youths of Idi-Ayunre to remain calm and resist the urge to take laws into their hands through road blockades or protests.
“We understand your anger, but we must handle this responsibly. I assure you, justice will be served,” he said, adding that the quarry company would face appropriate sanctions and legal consequences for repeated negligence.
The council boss also emphasized that companies operating within the local government must henceforth comply strictly with safety and traffic regulations, warning that any firm found wanting would be held accountable.
Eyewitnesses at the scene faulted the driver’s conduct, noting that the trailer, reportedly a brand-new vehicle, showed no signs of mechanical failure but that the driver was speeding uncontrollably and appeared to be under the influence of substances commonly referred to as “colos” and sachet alcohol.
Residents of the incident area called for stricter monitoring of quarry trucks and other heavy vehicles operating within Oluyole, insisting that the lives of their people should not continue to be the price of negligence and profit.
