The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that 16 people died in a multi-vehicle accident on the Ojoo-Iwo Road section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Tuesday.
Mr. Mayowa Odewo, spokesperson for the FRSC Oyo State Sector Command, informed the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan that 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash.
He reported that out of the 35 individuals involved, which included 14 male adults, 10 female adults, six female children, and five male children, two people emerged unscathed.
Odewo attributed the cause of the accident, which involved four vehicles, to the brake failure of a Mack truck with the registration number AKM 548 ZY.
The other vehicles involved were a Nissan commercial bus (MUB 20 LG), a Nissan Micra taxi (BDJ 520 YC), and a private Honda Accord SUV (KRD 707 ER).
The 17 injured victims have been taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased have been handed over to the police.
“The accident vehicles have been taken to Irepodun Police Station, along Agbowo-Ojoo Road, by the police.
“Sadly, no victim was saved by seat belts or other defensive gadgets,” he said.
The spokesperson urged drivers to exercise greater caution and ensure proper vehicle maintenance to prevent the loss of lives from avoidable road traffic accidents.