NNPC truck crushes newly-wed okada rider to death in Ondo

There was pandemonium in Akure metropolis, the Ondo State capital, yesterday, as commercial motorcycle riders chased all traffic wardens off the street following the death of one of their colleagues.

A fully loaded petroleum tanker belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) crushed a commercial motorcyclist, Mr. Kayode Esan, to death around 8am.

It was gathered that the truck had break failure and ran into the victim at the popular Iye-Oma Plaze Junction, Alagbaka, leading to a lot of traffic gridlock.

According to eyewitnesses, the tanker driver noticed the mechanical fault on getting closer to El-Shaddai Junction and started shouting at the top of his voice to forewarn other road users.

They said the deceased, Esan, who hailed from Ita Ogbolu in Akure North Council and newly married, was so unlucky, as he was crushed on his way from First Bank area and moving towards to Oba-Ile.

The victim died on the spot, triggering the angst of his colleagues who would have set the tanker on fire, but for the prompt intervention of security agencies, especially personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

In a large drove, the commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada, embarked on widespread protest, causing heavy traffic jam and assaulting all traffic wardens stationed along Alagbaka to Ilesha Garage route, who they blamed for the accident and death of their colleague, saying it was as a result of the carelessness of the Police officer posted to direct traffic at that spot.

It took a dramatic turn at Adegbola Junction when the motorcycle riders swooped on the traffic warden and attacked him. He had wanted to resist the assault, but took to his heels when he saw the mammoth crowd.

One of the okada riders, who identified himself as Jeunpe, said: “We don’t want yellow fever on our roads again. They are the ones causing most of the accidents happening in the town. They often times cause confusion when passing vehicles.

“Sometimes too, they desert their duty post to hide themselves under the shades without monitoring traffic, which is their major and primary assignment on the road.”

State Deputy Corp Commander and Head of Operation, Olusegun Ogungbemide, stated that the FRSC swung into action promptly, while the body of the diseased had been deposited at a mortuary.

He cautioned road users, especially motorcyclists and other motorists to be careful during the Yuletide season, noted that the Police had begun investigation on the matter.