Three occupants of a GLK Mercedes Benz car were on Sunday reportedly killed in Auchi, Edo State, when two trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement and another unidentified one crushed five vehicles in front of the Omega Fire Ministry at about midday.
In a viral video captured by a church member, a male voice was heard saying, “We just closed from church. A serious accident just happened in front of Omega Fire Ministry. A Dangote truck crushed about five vehicles in front of the church.
“Dangote truck is at it again. They are rescuing others who are still alive. Hold the driver, hold the driver”.
However, the senior pastor and general overseer of the church, Apostle Johnson Suleiman believed the death was avoidable, noting that some of these truck drivers were not trained and are under pressure to meet targets.
According to him, “It is an available avoidable death. These boys who drive should be called to order. These boys are not trained. They are overworked, stressed and some of them are even high on drugs.
“So, the management of the organisation these boys work for should carry out an assessment because several trucks are working across the country. Trucks of that particular organisation keep claiming the lives of Nigerians.
“This organisation should put their acts together. These deaths are avoidable. It is a mess. Three people just lost their lives for the recklessness of some young boys. If well checked, they might not even have licences.
“I agree that the roads should be fixed. Even if the roads are fixed, there are many people who ply the road. It is not all about the government. We are all government.
“Giving your truck to untrained drivers, is that the government? Over-working the drivers because you want to meet your target, that has nothing to do with the government.
“The government has to do their part but citizens have to be responsible. This is one mess that should have been avoided.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO)of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, superintendent of police, SP, confirmed the accident.
Yamu noted that all the three occupants in the GLK were confirmed dead in the hospital while the Dangote truck caught fire which was brought under control.
According to the PPRO, “I can confirm to you that three vehicles were involved in an accident in Auchi at midday. Two trucks and one GLK Benz. The police moved to the scene of the accident and evacuated three occupants of the GLK to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.
“Two of the vehicles involved were trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement and another unidentified one. The Dangote truck caught fire and was brought under control.
Yamu stated that investigation into the tragedy was ongoing.