Metro
Black Sunday: 11 Burnt in Ondo Crash, Container Crushes Nine in Lagos
No fewer than 20 people were confirmed dead on Sunday in two road crashes in Ondo and Lagos states.
While 11 people lost their lives at Ore town along the Benin-Sagamu Expressway in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, nine died at Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos State.
The Ondo crash involved a commercial Marcopolo bus and a truck.
The victims were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
A driver, who was at the scene of the incident and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the two vehicles collided and later caught fire.
He explained that the crash happened as motorists diverted from one side of the dualised expressway to the other side due to a faulty truck that blocked the road.
He said, “Motorists and commuters were taking one side of the expressway because a truck fell and blocked the other side of the road. For the past three days, vehicles heading towards Benin had been taking one way because the truck blocked their way and there was nobody to clear it off the road. For the past three days, it has been like that.
“The bus was coming from Benin and heading towards Lagos; it dropped some passengers at Ore. The bus then collided with the truck and caught fire around 6am today (Sunday).”
The Ondo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ezekiel Son’Allah, confirmed the accident, adding that it occurred as a result of speeding on the part of the truck and bus drivers.
He said, “Eleven people were burnt to death in the crash which was caused by road traffic and speed violations.”
In the Lagos accident, nine persons were confirmed dead and one person was rescued alive after a truck conveying a 20-foot container fell on a commercial minibus at Ojuelegba in the Surulere area of the state.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred around 12.45pm when the minibus, with number plate KTU921YG, stopped to pick up some passengers.
The passengers were said to have boarded the bus, which was ready to move when the truck, which was also trying to ascend the bridge, lost control, fell on its side and crushed the minibus.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“After suspending the container load with the aid of the agency’s forklift and cutting off the top of the bus with light rescue equipment, a single adult woman was extricated alive and taken to the trauma centre.
“Final casualty count is nine fatalities comprising four adult males, three adult females, a boy child, and a girl child. One adult female was rescued alive.
“The agency’s heavy-duty Goliath and teams from Onipan and Cappa are on ground. The agency’s ambulance, LASG fire, federal fire, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police have been working on this situation, which is now concluded.”
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, said officials of the agency rescued the survivor and handed her over to emergency responders.
The Punch
The Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has declared one Iroegbu Alexandra Chisom aka Biggy or Omoba Salvage wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and murder, according to a Wanted Notice issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Panti, Yaba, and made available to National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The notice informed that the Warrant of Arrest was issued against the suspect by the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Iirogbu, 30, is wanted for stabbing one Mr. Olusanya to death with a jackknife at Pearl Service Apartment, Lekki, Ajah, Lagos State.
Iroegbu Alexandra Chisom, according to the notice, “is Igbo by tribe, aged 30, Height 1.82, Heavily Built, oval face, long broad nose, large mouth, thick lips, good teeth, white and black eyes, dark in complexion, round chin, thick hair, large head, high forehead, deformities limping in one of the legs, very vocal in habit, normal youth dress.
“His last known address is 23 Road X Close Block 1 Flat 3 Area 1, FESTAC Town, Lagos State, Nigeria.”
“If seen, arrest and hand over to the nearest Police Station or to the Lagos State CID, Panti Lagos.’
The FRSC Lagos Sector Command’s Spokesperson, SRC Oluwadamilola Jayeola has extended hearty congratulatory messages to the duo of DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi and Superintendent Route Commander AD Odunsi-Oyewole, on their various appointments as the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun Police Command, and Public Education Officer of the FRSC Ogun Sector Command respectively.
SRC Jayeola described both appointments as well-deserved, noting that the duo bring to their new responsibilities proven professionalism, depth of experience, and strong commitment to public service.
She emphasized that effective public communication remains critical to public safety, security awareness, and trust-building, particularly in a strategic state like Ogun, which serves as a major transit corridor between Lagos and other parts of the country.
SRC Jayeola expressed confidence that the synergy between the FRSC Ogun Sector Command and the Ogun State Police Command, through their Public Relations and Public Education Officers, will further strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve information management, and enhance public enlightenment on road safety and security matters across the state.
She assured both officers of her full support and readiness to sustain a cordial and productive working relationship, stressing that cooperation, information sharing, and mutual support among sister agencies remain vital to achieving safer roads and a more secure society.
SRC Jayeola wished Superintendent Route Commander AD Odunsi-Oyewole and DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi a successful tenure, marked by impact, professionalism, and excellent service delivery to the people of Ogun State.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has argued that no court restrained it from enforcing the tinted glass permit regulation, maintaining that the directive remains valid until a competent judicial pronouncement rules otherwise.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made the clarification while addressing journalists during the presentation of criminal suspects arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team.
He stated that the police would continue enforcement of the tinted glass permit order, stressing that there had been no judicial directive halting the exercise.
Hundeyin explained that criminal groups had exploited previous pauses in enforcement to commit violent crimes, including kidnapping and armed attacks.
He cited a recent incident in Edo State where a Lexus SUV with tinted windows allegedly refused to stop at a checkpoint, leading to a pursuit during which its occupants opened fire on officers, killing a police inspector and injuring others.
He further clarified that the earlier suspension of enforcement announced by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had been misinterpreted by sections of the public and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
“The Inspector-General of Police, out of respect and understanding, temporarily suspended enforcement to give Nigerians additional time to regularise their tinted glass permits.
That decision was not based on any court order but was a discretionary move to accommodate public concerns,” Hundeyin said.
Acknowledging that the matter is before the courts, Hundeyin noted that the legal process has been slow. He stressed that, pending any contrary ruling, the police would continue enforcement.
“The position remains that enforcement continues until a court directs otherwise. At no point did any court restrain the Nigeria Police Force or the Inspector-General of Police from implementing the tinted glass permit order,” he added.
Responding to reports that the NBA may initiate contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General over the renewed enforcement, Hundeyin said the police legal department would address any action if it arises.
He reiterated that enforcement of the tinted glass permit was necessary for public safety, particularly in curbing crimes committed with vehicles whose occupants are concealed.
The police position comes amid growing debate between the Force and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which has argued that the policy is unconstitutional and currently subject to litigation.
