The Oyo State Police Command has blamed excessive speed and reckless driving for a deadly road accident at Soka Junction along the busy Ibadan–Lagos Expressway, which claimed two lives and left several others injured.
The late-night crash, which occurred around 10:10 p.m. on Saturday in Oluyole Local Government Area of Ibadan, involved multiple vehicles and pedestrians, causing panic among commuters and residents in the area.
In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said preliminary findings showed that a white HOWO truck lost control due to speeding before ploughing into other road users.
According to him, the truck, with registration number Gombe GEM 696 XE, was driven by one Abdullahi Bashiru, who allegedly drove recklessly, leading to the fatal collision.
“The command confirms that two persons lost their lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident, which also involved multiple vehicles,” Ayanlade said.
He added that vehicles, including a Toyota Venza and a BMW, were severely damaged in the crash.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that a full-scale investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident and ensure accountability.
He urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, particularly speed limits, warning that reckless driving continues to pose a major threat to public safety.
The command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, while calling on members of the public to support law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information.