Eight people, including a pregnant woman and child, killed as a Dangote Cement truck suffers brake failure near Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
AkungbaTruckCrash has plunged Akungba-Akoko, a bustling university town in Ondo State, into mourning after a cement-laden truck belonging to Dangote Cement reportedly suffered brake failure and rammed into traders and pedestrians, killing at least eight people on Wednesday night.
Among the victims were a pregnant woman, her mother and child, as well as other unsuspecting residents and passersby.
Tragedy Near AAUA Main Gate
The crash occurred around 8:00 p.m. near the main gate of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) and the Holy Trinity Church.
Eyewitnesses told Daily Post that the truck, which was in transit from Obajana, Kogi State, lost its brakes while descending into the densely populated stretch of Akungba. Within seconds, it ploughed through roadside traders and commuters, leaving devastation in its wake.
“People were screaming, running, but there was no escape. Many were trapped under the truck. The pregnant woman and her child died instantly,” an eyewitness recounted tearfully.
The impact of the crash left bodies scattered across the scene, while traders’ wares and motorcycles were crushed under the vehicle’s weight.
Residents Blame Removal of Barricade
The tragedy sparked anger among residents, who blamed the government for removing the barricade that once restricted heavy-duty trucks from passing through the university community.
One resident alleged that local youths had turned the barricade into an extortion point, collecting money from truck drivers.
“Those boys were collecting ₦10,000 from truck drivers before allowing them to pass through. Now look at what has happened again. The government ignored all our warnings,” he said.
FRSC Confirms Eight Dead
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ezekiel Ibitoye, said:
He added that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited in a morgue, while the injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for urgent medical attention.
A Recurring Nightmare for Akungba
For residents of Akungba, this tragedy is painfully familiar. The community, home to thousands of students, has witnessed multiple fatal crashes involving heavy trucks over the years.
In January 2021, a Dangote truck lost control near the same AAUA gate, killing several students and sparking protests by angry youths who demanded a permanent ban on articulated vehicles in the area.
Wednesday’s crash, eerily similar to past incidents, has reignited public outrage and renewed calls for government intervention to prevent further loss of life.
Dangote Truck Accidents Across Nigeria
Beyond Akungba, Dangote trucks have been repeatedly linked to fatal crashes across Nigeria, fueling nationwide concern over safety and regulation.
- June 2020: A Dangote truck lost control in Kogi State, killing over 20 people, including schoolchildren.
- September 2021: Another Dangote truck rammed into vehicles along the Ogun–Ibadan Expressway, killing multiple passengers.
- 2022: Several fatal crashes involving Dangote trucks were recorded in Oyo, Lagos, and Plateau States, each sparking protests and public outcry.
Despite repeated tragedies, calls for tighter regulation of heavy-duty trucks, especially those owned by large conglomerates, have gone largely unheeded.
