- Tanker Crushes Tricycle Rider to Death in Ibadan
- Protest Erupts at Scene
- The tanker reportedly skidded across the road median and rammed into the tricycle
A tragic accident occurred in Oke Ado area of Ibadan on Friday morning, claiming the life of a tricycle rider, Ajibade Opeyemi.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the incident, which happened around 7:30 am, involved a petrol tanker that veered off its lane and crushed the victim’s tricycle.
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Eyewitnesses said the crash was triggered by a speeding Toyota Venza driver who reportedly lost control while trying to avoid hitting a roadside object. In the process, the driver swerved into the opposite lane, forcing the tanker driver to brake suddenly and lose control.
The tanker reportedly skidded across the road median and rammed into the tricycle, killing the rider.
Police officers from the Iyaganku Division responded swiftly to the scene and rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead. His remains were later deposited at a mortuary in the city.
The incident sparked anger among fellow tricycle operators, who gathered at the scene and initially resisted efforts to move the tanker or transfer its fuel, fearing the case might be ignored once the vehicle was removed.
Efforts by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Daniel Oboyi, to calm the situation were initially met with resistance, as the riders demanded justice for their colleague. The standoff lasted several hours before normalcy gradually returned.
A witness, Adesina Babatunde, said the deceased had parked by the roadside and was calling for passengers when the tanker lost control.
“The only passenger he had managed to escape, but the rider tried to run and fell. That was when the tanker crushed him,” he said.
The driver of the Toyota Venza reportedly fled the scene despite being chased by some motorcyclists.
Officials of the Oyo State Fire Service were also present, spraying the tanker with water to prevent a possible explosion, while a tow truck from the Federal Road Safety Corps stood by.
The atmosphere turned more emotional when the victim’s children arrived at the scene, crying and calling out for their father, drawing sympathy from bystanders.
In protest, tricycle operators temporarily halted operations in the area, insisting that justice must be served for their fallen colleague.
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