MINISTER SADIYA UMAR SADIQ’S HEART SADDENED OVER LAGOS/IBADAN EXPRESS FATAL ACCIDENT, MOURNS VICTIMS

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq has expressed deep shock after no fewer that 17 persons were reportedly burnt to death in a road accident which occurred at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Friday.

The accident which involved a Mazda bus and a petrol tanker occurred near Isara Bridge in Ogun state at about 5.00 a.m.
According to reports, there was a head on collision which resulted in the explosion. The number of casualties could not be confirmed at the time of the incident.

Umar Farouq described the disaster as colossal while mourning the loss of lives in the inferno.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of many lives in this accident. It is very unfortunate. We deployed the National Emergency Management Agency at the time of the accident to work with SEMA and the Federal Road Safety Corps in the rescue operation.

“It has been a very difficult rescue mission as it happened in the early hours of the morning. 
“I sympathize with the families of the dead and pray that God will strengthen them in this period of grief”, Farouq said.

Cityvoice gathered that the incident occurred a few metres away from Isara Bridge at about 5am on Friday morning.
It was learnt that the truck and the Mazda bus marked ZT728 KLD were coming from opposite directions before they collided on the highway.
In the process, the bus went up in flames killing many of the passengers.
The spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ogun Command, Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident, saying some victims were burnt beyond recognition.
Okpe said the command could not ascertain the number of those involved in the crash, but 17 bodies have been recovered from the scene.

“The total number of people involved is not ascertained, but a total 17 bodies ( killed) have been identified.1 male, 1 female, and 1 female child only have been identified, while others were burnt beyond recognition and no injury sustained,” Okpe said.
She added that “The suspected causes of the fatal crash were route violation and dangerous driving, which resulted in head-on collision and fire outbreak.
Okpe quoted the FRSC Sector Commander, Ahmed Umar, describing the crash as an avoidable one with caution and obedience to traffic rules and regulations.
Umar commiserated with the families of the victims, enjoining them to contact the FRSC office in Ogere for more information about