Tension has enveloped Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State following the tragic death of eight persons in a truck accident on Wednesday night.

The Incident, which occurred opposite the popular Anglican Church, has thrown the entire community into mourning as residents lamented the recurring cases of fatal truck crashes in the town.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened when the driver of a truck reportedly lost control and veered off his lane, ramming into bystanders along the roadside near Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).

It was gathered that a pregnant woman and a 200-level undergraduate student of the university were among those who died in the crash.

Emergency responders and security operatives were said to have raced to the scene to rescue survivors and recover bodies trapped beneath the vehicle.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state had confirmed that eight persons died in the accident.

In a statement, the Sector Commander, Mr. Samuel Ibitoye, said the victims comprised five males, two females, and a male child.

“Eight people were involved – five males, two females, and one male child. The truck ran into a barricade in front of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko,” he stated.

Ibitoye blamed the accident on the recklessness of the truck driver, noting that he lost control of the vehicle and rammed into pedestrians.

Angered by the tragedy, irate residents, mostly youths, on Thursday took to the streets and blocked the major road, disrupting vehicular movement in and out of the town.

One of the residents, Mrs. Bimpe Adeleke, who spoke at the scene, decried the recurring accidents, calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further loss of lives.

“The road is not safe. We witnessed this kind of tragedy before; it shouldn’t have happened again,” she said. “A man lost his wife and son. Do you think that is pleasant? The government must act fast.”

Security agencies led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, were said to be making frantic efforts to clear the wreckage from the accident scene and restore order as at the time of filling this report. (The Nation)