0
0
A tragic accident claimed the lives of three students of Prospect High School and a commercial motorcyclist in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State on Tuesday morning, July 8, 2025.
The incident occurred along the Abanla–Idi-Ayunre Road as the Junior Secondary School students were on their way to school. Eyewitnesses said a commercial truck, while attempting to overtake another vehicle, lost control and rammed into the motorcycle conveying the students, crushing them in the process.
The truck driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.
“The commercial motorcyclist and two of the students died on the spot, while the third student was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital,” an eyewitness told Punch.
Another witness, who declined to be named, said, “The truck fatally crushed the motorcycle carrying the three students. All of them, including the rider, are now dead.”
In response to the tragic incident, distraught students took to the streets in protest, blocking the road and demanding justice as well as immediate government intervention. They were soon joined by other commercial motorcyclists and local residents, who condemned the frequent accidents caused by heavy-duty vehicles in the area.
The Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, confirmed the accident and expressed his condolences.
“This is one tragedy too many. I can only imagine what the parents and families of these future leaders are going through emotionally, psychologically, and physically right now. As a father, I can tell you—it is better imagined,” he said.
Olatunji condemned the recklessness of both truck drivers and commercial motorcyclists, stressing that strict adherence to traffic regulations might have prevented the accident.
“If the commercial motorcyclist had followed traffic rules, especially regarding the number of passengers, he might have been able to avoid this fatal accident,” he noted.
He assured the grieving families that justice would be served and pledged the council’s commitment to locating and prosecuting the truck driver.
The chairman also ordered the immediate construction of speed bumps along the road to slow down traffic and enhance pedestrian safety.
“We must take firm steps to slow down these trailers and protect our people, especially schoolchildren,” he added.
