A leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has expressed deep condolences to the victims and families affected by Tuesday’s fatal road accident in Ibadan, as well as to the state government over the tragic loss of lives.
The accident, which occurred at the Fruits Market along the Oje–Beere axis of Ibadan, claimed the lives of about six people, including a motorcyclist, after a trailer loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit reportedly lost control and rammed into several tricycles. Many others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, Ajadi described the incident as painful and unfortunate, particularly coming just days after the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri. He noted that the loss of lives under such circumstances was difficult to comprehend and called for collective reflection on safety practices.
He also commended the swift intervention of security operatives and emergency responders, whose prompt actions helped to rescue survivors and manage the situation.
“I commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives and pray that Almighty God grants them eternal rest, while those injured receive speedy recovery,” Ajadi stated.
The PDP aspirant, however, stressed that the tragedy highlights the dangers associated with street trading, noting that many of the victims were traders and commuters operating along the roadside in defiance of existing government directives.
He urged the state government not to relent in its efforts to curb street trading, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future occurrences.
Ajadi further prayed against a recurrence of such incidents and called on residents to comply with safety guidelines in order to safeguard lives and property.
