By ebosele@hotmail.com —
The management of Dangote Group has denied ownership of a truck involved in a fatal crash that claimed several lives on Friday along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
In a statement sent to City BusinessNews Online, Dangote Group explained that “contrary to a report by the Federal Road Safety Commission (Corps), the said truck does not belong to the Dangote Group”.
The statement issued by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding And Communication Officer (GCBCO) read: “Our attention has been drawn to some online media reports that a truck conveying petroleum product, which was involved in a fatal crash that claimed several lives, belongs to Dangote Flour.
“The truck bearing the logo of Dangote Flour was said to have been involved in an accident in Ogun State.
“However, contrary to a report by the Federal Road Safety Commission, the said truck does not belong to the Dangote Group.
“It should be noted that Olam International Ltd, makers of Crown Flour products, acquired Dangote Flour in 2019 in a widely publicized deal. The company now fully belongs to Olam.
“The loss of lives in this instance is regrettable and saddening. The public is advised to take note of this clarification”.
According to eye witness report, no fewer than 17 persons were burnt to death in the accident involving a Mazda bus and a tanker at Isara Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis of Ogun State.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),Ahmed Umar, confirmed the incident.
Umar explained that the accident occurred at about 5.00 a.m., adding that the number of people involved in the accident could not be ascertained.
According to him, the accident was caused by route violation and dangerous driving, which resulted in a head-on collision and thereafter fire outbreak.
The sector commander noted, however, that he could not ascertain which of the vehicles was at fault.
He said the bus was inbound Ibadan, while the tanker was outbound Ibadan.
He identified the two vehicles involved in the accident as a Mazda bus with registration number ZT 28 KLD and an unmarked tanker.
The FRSC official stated that only one male adult, one female adult and one female child could be identified out of the victims.
He noted that the vehicles were partially obstructing the service lane.
Umar said that the Isara Divisional Police station and FOS Morgue, Isara, had been informed of the incident.
The sector commander said that the accident was avoidable if the traffic rules and regulations had been obeyed.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased and enjoined them to contact the FRSC Ogere, for more information about the crash.
In the same vein, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra said an accident involving seven vehicles at Azia Junction on the Ihiala-Onitsha Road, on Friday, claimed the lives of a male child and a male adult.
The Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, confirmed the accident to the newsmen, in Awka.
Irelewuyi said the accident occurred at about noon and could be attributed to loss of control due to speeding.
“The fatal crash involved an unidentified driver of a Mercedes 911 truck with registration number UWZ556XA, three Toyota Commercial buses with registration numbers JJT07ZI, ENU589 XB and the third was not clear.
“Other vehicles involved were a Nissan bus with registration number GOD21YM, a Nissan mini truck with registration number ATN787XB and a Suzuki Pick-Up with registration number AKL169XE.
“A total of 63 persons comprising 52 male adults, 10 female adults, and a male child, were involved in the crash.
“FRSC rescue team from Ihiala Unit Command rushed the victims to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, where a male adult and a male child were confirmed dead and their bodies deposited at the hospital morgue, ” he said.
While condoling with the families of the dead, the Sector Commander urged motorists to ensure they keep to recommended speed limits.
