Tragedy As Trailer Crushes Corper, 14 Others To Death In Ekiti

No fewer than fifteen persons were on Saturday night crushed to death in a market in Iworoko,Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti state.

It was gathered that the truck suddenly lost control at about 8:45 pm on Saturday and rammed into a market at the centre of the town.

In the ensuing tragedy, it crushed three shops and a commercial small bus which had some passengers. One of the shops, a barbing saloon, has residents and students charging their cell phones inside it. They were all trapped in the accident.

Among the 15 persons said to have been dispatched to early graves are students of the Ekiti State University, a corps member , residents, traders in the area and a mother and child.

The on going strike action by the Academic Union of Universities, (ASUU), was said to have prevented many more students of the EKSU from falling victim of the tragic incident as they claimed that the market where the truck ran into used to be crowded with many students when the school is open.

The trailer had crushed a small commercial vehicle called ‘Akoto’.

Bags of rice , some of which had posters of a senatorial candidate of the Ondo State All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo Central , Tayo Alasoadura were spread all over the ground.

The management of the Ekiti state Teaching Hospital told newsmen that 12 bodies of those who lost their lives in the accident, including students of EKSU have been deposits at the state morgue while four wounded victims of the accident are receiving treatment in the hospital.

Meanwhile, Senator Alasoasura has expressed his condolences to the families of victims of the Saturday trailer accident in Ifaki/ Iworoko road in Ekiti State

In a statement issued by his media aide, Dayo Joseph, disclosed that the rice was purchased from a mill in Kebbi State for his constituents.

He added that the,” the rice was actually meant for his constituents to enjoy Christmas/New year celebration as part of his love gift in the spirit of the season but the delivery was delayed till now.

“Our prayers are with the victims and I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed ones and the fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss while I also wish the injured ones quick recovery and return to their normal activities.”

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has also commiserated with the people of Iworoko Ekiti over Saturday’s accident in the town.

The Governor who had earlier directed the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, to pay condolence visit to the community on Sunday morning, said in a statement by his chief press secretary, Yinka Oyebode, that he was saddened and devastated by the news of the fatal accident.

Noting that many lives have been lost to the recklessness of many trailer drivers, he said government might be compelled to re-introduce some old laws and previous arrangements to deal with the menace.

The Governor said Ekiti State Trafic Management Agency (EKSTMA) would henceforth be more rigid in its enforcement of street trading laws.

He said market stalls were constructed in various local government areas in order to discourage street trading, adding that government will now accelerate completion of those markets and build new ones to avoid a repeat of these tragedies.

Dr Fayemi urged the community leaders and families of the victims of the accident to remain calm even as “we collectively mourn the death of our beloved ones in the unfortunate incident.”

The Governor said: “This is a huge tragedy and a painful experience, not only for the families of the victims but for all of us.
” We share with the people of Iworoko and families of the victims the pain and sorrow of the unfortunate development.
” Our prayer is that God will be with you during this painful period.
” Government will also look at areas of support with a view to ameliorating the pains.”