The Babaloja of Oje Eleso, Alhaji Kamorudeen Hammed Olaosebikan, has clarified that no trader within Oje Market was involved in the tragic accident involving a fuel-laden truck at the Beere axis of Ibadan, which claimed three lives and left several others injured.
Speaking to Ibadan City Announcer, Olaosebikan said he was in his office when he received a distress call that a truck had suffered brake failure and was heading uncontrollably toward the Oje area, raising fears of a possible fire outbreak.
He explained that upon rushing to the scene, he met a tragic situation, including an unidentified woman who had been crushed inside a tricycle. According to him, the woman had attempted to jump out of the tricycle in a bid to escape but was killed in the process.
The market leader further disclosed that two persons were initially confirmed dead, while about eight others sustained injuries at Beere. He added that another casualty was later recorded at Oje Market, bringing the total number of deaths to three.
He further added that the intervention of personnel who had earlier moved some roadside traders away from the area helped reduce the number of casualties at Oje.
Olaosebikan also noted that the driver of the truck fled the scene immediately after the incident and has yet to be identified.
Meanwhile, the police have evacuated the bodies of the victims, while those injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
