Tragedy struck at the popular Eleyele Market in Ibadan North Local Government Area on Wednesday as a DAF model truck, loaded with granite, lost control and rammed into the market. The accident, reportedly caused by brake failure, claimed the lives of two people and left several others injured.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the truck was approaching the market from the Dugbe axis when the driver lost control, leading to the fatal crash. The incident occurred between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., sending shockwaves through the market community.
The injured victims were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for medical attention. Confirming the incident, the Iyaloja (market leader) of Eleyele Market, Alhaja Ganiyat Adekola, revealed that over six injured persons were taken to UCH with the assistance of the police. Sadly, two of them were confirmed dead.
Alhaja Adekola lamented the lack of a designated market space in Eleyele, attributing the tragedy to this shortfall. She passionately appealed to the government to provide a proper market for the traders to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The Babaloja (male market leader) of Eleyele, Alhaji Abdullahi Arasi, corroborated the account and reiterated the call for government intervention. Both leaders urged the authorities to prioritize the safety and well-being of the market community by building a secure market structure.
Eyewitnesses noted that this was the first incident of its kind in Eleyele Market, leaving traders and residents deeply shaken. The market community is now united in its plea to the government for urgent action to avert a recurrence of such a devastating event.
