Rita Odafe
A serious road incident in Ile-Ife, Osun state, has resulted in the deaths of five individuals due to a collision between a gas tanker and a commercial bus.
According to The Punch, numerous passengers found themselves trapped in the aftermath of the crash, which unfolded on the Ife/Ibadan Expressway on Thursday.
Kehinde Adeleke, spokesperson for the Osun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, reported that approximately 17 passengers were present on the bus at the time of the accident.
On Friday, further details were shared by Ibrahim Adekunle from the Osun State Fire Service, confirming that the deceased included two men, two women, and a young child who were recovered from the wreckage.
He added that the bodies of the victims have been taken to the morgue at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife.
In a statement, it was noted, “On Thursday, September 12, 2024, a gas tanker collided with a commercial bus known as ‘Sabo-Lagere,’ which was carrying an unknown number of passengers, leading to the tragic fatalities. The vehicles veered off the road into a ditch along Ibadan Express Road, Ajebandele, in Ile-Ife.
“The Ile-Ife Zonal Command received the incident report around noon, quickly mobilizing resources to the site alongside the headquarters from Abere to offer necessary support due to the hazardous nature of the materials involved in the crash (LPG).
“After extensive rescue efforts by the State Fire Service in collaboration with the FRSC Ile-Ife Zonal Command, led by SRC Kenny Olorundare and local community members, five passengers were retrieved from the wreckage, including two men, two women, and a toddler. The deceased were subsequently transported to the OAU Teaching Hospital morgue.”
The Director of Osun State Fire Service, Mr. Ismail Olaniyi, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the Ile-Ife community, labeling the incident as a tragic and preventable occurrence.
