There was tension and outrage in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Wednesday after a truck crushed 10 persons, including a pregnant woman, a mother and her child, to death.
The tragic accident occurred near the main gate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), a spot notorious for previous crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles.
Eyewitnesses said the truck, which was descending a slope at high speed, lost control and rammed into roadside traders and pedestrians. The impact killed several people instantly, while others sustained serious injuries.
The dead included a pregnant woman, a mother and her young son, as well as seven other residents. Their remains were reportedly evacuated by emergency responders and community volunteers.
The gruesome incident sparked anger among residents, who later barricaded the Akungba–Ikare Road, blocking vehicular movement for several hours to protest what they described as government neglect and poor road safety enforcement.
A resident, Mr. Bode Adewole, who spoke to reporters, described the accident as “heartbreaking and avoidable.”
“We actually thought what we experienced some years ago would never happen again, but it’s unfortunate that we are still witnessing this,” he said.
“A man lost his wife and son in this same incident. It is painful. The government should intervene quickly.”
Community leaders lamented that similar accidents had occurred several times in the past along the same stretch of road, especially near the university gate. They accused authorities of failing to restrict heavy trucks from passing through the area or constructing a bypass to divert them.
The Akungba–Ikare Road serves as a major link between Ondo and Kogi States and is heavily used by trucks transporting goods from the northern part of the country. Over the years, residents and students have repeatedly called for permanent measures to prevent recurring accidents.
Security operatives were later deployed to the area to disperse protesters and restore calm, while traffic was diverted through alternative routes.
As of Thursday morning, several shops and roadside stalls near the crash site remained closed, as the community mourned the victims.
