Following Tuesday’s tragic Ota toll gate tragedy, which claimed the lives of six people, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Ten people were hurt in the accident that happened at approximately 9:32 in the morning, according to 46PLAY.
A Mack truck with a green body and white cab (registration number: EKY 913YH), a Suzuki mini bus in yellow (SMK16YK), and a TVS tricycle in yellow (AAA 840QM) were all engaged.
The truck driver was described as speeding and acting carelessly prior to colliding with many vehicles, including a tricycle and pedestrians, according to a statement issued by Salau H.O., Divisional TRACE Command, Ota.
While the injured were rescued and taken to the State Hospital in Ota, and the presumed dead were deposited at the State mortuary in Ifo, he said that the truck driver had fled the scene.
In response, Governor Abiodun slammed truck drivers for their carelessness and issued an order that anybody found guilty would face the full force of the law.
He expressed his deepest sympathies with the victims’ families and prayed for their courage and comfort as they dealt with the tragedy. He characterised the occurrence as terrible and intolerable.
To ensure that this does not happen again along the busy corridor, he urged the Nigerian Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps to be more vigilant and enforce traffic laws more strictly.
Concerning a related matter, important local government officials, led by Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Lawal Adewale Wasiu, paid a visit to the scene of the event and received briefings from security operatives coordinating rescue and control operations.
The chairman conveyed his profound sadness at the incident and emphasised once again the need of strictly following traffic laws.
In addition, he warned against dangerous activities like roadside selling that put commuters and residents at risk and promised that the council will work closely with the appropriate organisations to increase safety compliance along the axis.