Akungba-Akoko, a bustling university town in Ondo State, was thrown into mourning on Wednesday night 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 the spot.
Naija News learnt that among the victims were a pregnant woman, her mother and child, as well as other unsuspecting residents and passersby.
The crash reportedly happened around 8:00 pm close to the main gate of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) and the popular Holy Trinity Church.
According to Daily Post, eyewitnesses said the truck was in transit from Obajana, Kogi State, when its brakes failed as it descended into the densely populated stretch of Akungba. In seconds, it ploughed through roadside traders and commuters.
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“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 told journalists in tears.
The impact of the crash left bodies scattered around the scene, while traders’ wares and motorcycles were crushed under the weight of the vehicle.
Residents Blame Removal of Barricade
Naija News reports that the tragedy sparked anger among residents, who blamed the government for removing the barricade that once restricted articulated vehicles from plying the university community.
One resident alleged that local youths had also turned the barricade into an extortion point.
“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.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ezekiel Ibitoye, said: “The deceased persons include five males, two females and one child. The truck ran into a barricade in front of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and lost control, resulting in the crash.”
He said the remains of the dead had been deposited in a morgue, while the injured were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for urgent care.
For residents of Akungba, this is a recurring nightmare. The community, home to thousands of students, has witnessed repeated fatal crashes involving heavy trucks over the years.
In January 2021, a Dangote truck lost control near the same AAUA gate and killed several students, sparking protests by angry youths who demanded that articulated vehicles be barred permanently from the town.
Wednesday’s crash, eerily similar to past tragedies, has once again ignited anger and fresh calls for government intervention.
Dangote Truck Accidents Across Nigeria
Naija News reports that beyond the Akungba tragic incident, Dangote trucks have been repeatedly linked to fatal crashes across the country, sparking nationwide outrage.
In June 2020, a Dangote truck lost control and killed over 20 people in Kogi State, including primary school pupils.
In September 2021, another Dangote truck rammed into vehicles along the Ogun–Ibadan Expressway, killing multiple passengers.
In 2022, several fatal crashes involving Dangote trucks were recorded in Oyo, Lagos, and Plateau States, each sparking protests and public outcry.
In every case, the calls for tighter regulation of heavy-duty trucks, especially those owned by powerful conglomerates, have gone largely unheeded.