A tragic night in Ondo State has left residents heartbroken after a truck lost control and crushed a pregnant woman and several others near...
A tragic night in Ondo State has left residents heartbroken after a truck lost control and crushed a pregnant woman and several others near Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. While reports initially linked the vehicle to the Dangote Group, the company has come forward to deny ownership. This brings back memories of similar tragedies in Nigeria where major transport companies were wrongly blamed before investigations cleared them.
Shock and grief filled the air in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, after a heavy-duty truck reportedly lost its brakes and rammed into roadside shops and pedestrians close to Adekunle Ajasin University’s main gate. Eyewitnesses say the truck crushed several people, including a pregnant woman and her child, leaving the town in mourning.
Many locals and social media users were quick to point fingers at the Dangote Group, claiming the truck bore their logo. But in a swift response, the company released a statement denying any connection to the vehicle involved in the crash.
According to Dangote Group, the truck — identified by witnesses with registration number JJJ 365 XB — does not belong to them or any of their subsidiaries. The company explained that all authentic Dangote trucks are properly branded, tracked, and managed under strict safety protocols. They further clarified that the vehicle was operated by an independent logistics company and that the goods it carried were not Dangote products.
Residents of Akungba-Akoko, however, remain frustrated and angry. Some say this isn’t the first time a deadly truck accident has occurred in the same area. A local trader lamented that the barricade meant to stop heavy trucks from entering the community had been damaged for weeks, and no one seemed to care until tragedy struck again.
Authorities from the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that the crash was caused by brake failure. The truck driver reportedly lost control while trying to avoid a motorcycle, causing it to crash into shops and passersby.
The death toll remains uncertain — with reports ranging from eight to ten casualties, including both adults and children. Emergency responders and community volunteers rushed to the scene to rescue survivors and recover bodies trapped under the wreckage.
This isn’t the first time Dangote Group’s name has surfaced in connection with a truck accident. In a similar incident months ago, the company also denied ownership of a truck involved in a fatal crash in Enugu. Such repeated confusion raises questions about vehicle branding, road safety, and the need for stricter regulations on third-party transporters using popular brand logos.
Conclusion
The Akungba-Akoko crash is another painful reminder of how poor road safety and mechanical failure can turn an ordinary day into a scene of tragedy. While Dangote Group has distanced itself from the incident, Nigerians are calling for stronger checks on heavy trucks and clearer identification of corporate vehicles. As investigations continue, families of the victims are left to grieve — hoping that justice and accountability will follow.
Just like the Otedola Bridge tanker explosion years ago, this tragedy has reignited conversations about enforcing stricter road safety laws across Nigeria.