*
By Becky Usman
Chaos ensued in the Oja Oba area of Ilorin, within Ilorin West Local Government area of Kwara state on Thursday morning, as a Hilux Van belonging to the Federal Correctional Service collided with a group of commercial motorcyclists, commonly known as Okada riders.
The accident tragically claimed the lives of four individuals, while leaving two others injured.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:40 am when one of the correctional service vehicles collided with several Okada riders at the Isale Oja roundabout while en route to the court with inmates.
In the wake of the collision, local residents began a protest, resulting in the vandalism of one of the vehicles in the convoy. The inmates aboard the damaged vehicle were promptly evacuated by the police and relocated to the police station ‘C’ division, Oja Oba, for their safety.
Although local witnesses claim that four fatalities occurred in the accident, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Frederick Ade Ogidan, confirmed the incident and reported no loss of life. He stated that the victims sustained critical injuries and were receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
Due to the ensuing confusion, security personnel from the police and state service were dispatched to the area. They cordoned off regions around the palace of the Emir of Ilorin and blocked access to Oja Oba, Isale Oja, Idi Ape, and Ago Markets.
Ogidan attributed the accident to overspeeding and the failure of some road users to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles. He advised the public to always give precedence to vehicles involved in emergency services.
The spokesperson for the Kwara police command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, also confirmed the incident, noting that six individuals were involved and were receiving medical attention. He disclosed that two of the six individuals had already been treated and discharged, while the remaining four were still in the process of recovery.
Ajayi reassured the public that the police had restored order to the area.