Two middle-aged brothers were on Wednesday morning crushed to death along Reuben Fasoranti Road in Akure, Ondo State capital, after a truck reportedly lost control and rammed into several vehicles during a Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) enforcement operation.

Apart from the two victims, who were said to be fruit sellers operating beside Iyeoma Plaza in Alagbaka, a commercial driver also narrowly escaped death during the incident, which occurred near the headquarters of the VIO along Ijapo Road.

Eyewitnesses said VIO officials were carrying out a stop-and-check operation on vehicle licences when the accident happened, causing heavy traffic congestion along the busy road.

A commercial driver who survived the incident described the moment as terrifying, saying he had parked his vehicle to offload goods when he suddenly heard people shouting.

“I came to deliver goods to my boss, but the shop was yet to open, so I parked my vehicle. As I was moving towards the boot to bring down the goods in front of the shop, I suddenly heard people shouting. When I looked back, I saw the tipper ramming into vehicles and motorcycles. I immediately ran for my life. You can see how badly my vehicle was damaged. The truck crushed the two men on the motorcycle instantly. I thank God for sparing my life,” he said.

The impact of the crash caused panic in the area as residents and sympathisers blamed VIO officials for allegedly creating the traffic situation that led to the tragedy.

Angry youths reportedly attempted to attack the VIO office following the incident, accusing the agency of conducting enforcement operations in a manner that endangered road users. However, police officers from the Ijapo Division intervened to restore calm and prevent escalation. The bodies of the victims were later evacuated and deposited at the morgue.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command said the accident occurred at about 11:00am in front of the VIO office along Fiwasaye Road, Akure.

Police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said the crash involved an unregistered diesel tipper truck, a Nissan vehicle with registration number ONDO WWW-327TA driven by Lawal Basiru Adegoke of Maronu area, Akure, and an unregistered Mate 90 motorcycle ridden by Emeka Michael, 40, of Oke Ijebu area, Akure.

He explained that preliminary investigation showed the tipper truck collided with the motorcycle and the Nissan vehicle from behind, resulting in the fatal crash.

Police operatives responded swiftly, documenting the scene and evacuating the victims to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Akure, where they were confirmed dead.

The command commiserated with the families of the deceased and urged motorists to exercise caution, maintain safe speeds, and obey traffic regulations. It added that investigations into the incident are ongoing. (TRIBUNE)

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