The town of Akungba-Akoko has been thrown into mourning after an articulated vehicle conveying cement reportedly rammed into shops and business centres, killing no fewer than eight persons.
The accident was said to have occurred close to the Adekunle Ajasin University gate around 6 pm on Saturday.
This came amid reports that two students were burnt in a gas explosion in the Adefarati area of the university town around the same time as the road accident.
Due to the twin incidents, Akungba is currently trending on Twitter.
Another casualty in Akungba, Gas explosion around adefarati. Two students reportedly burnt. What is happening in that town?
— Olúyẹmí Fásípè 🇳🇬 (@YemieFASH) January 23, 2021
A pregnant lady was said to have been crushed to death in the Akungba road accident, although many of the victims were said to be students of the institution.
Witnesses said that many victims that sustained serious injuries were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
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Also, the remains of the deceased have reportedly been taken to the morgue of the general hospital.
Witnesses disclosed that the offending articulated truck belonged to Dangote Cement.
The truck was said to have lost control due to brake failure while coming from lkare-Akoko and descending the hill few metres to the university gate, ramming into the business centres, shops and buildings along the roadside.
“lt crushed all the students who were busy at the business centres, the passersby and other shop owners few metres away from the main gate of the university,” Vanguard quoted an unnamed source as saying.
A source said at least 8 bodies have been recovered from the scene.
Watch video (Graphic Content):
Our heart is with the families and friends of those that just died in Akungba-Akoko, in the ghastly accident
RIP to the departed
😓😓😓😓#RescueAkungba
NB: Video and images are graphic 👇 pic.twitter.com/kSqGmLyUy6
— Advisers Corner (@Advisers_corner) January 23, 2021