A yet-to-be-identified truck driver was arrested after ramming into a motorcycle conveying a National Diploma 1 student of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Temilade Adekunle, leading to her death along the Sayedero market in the Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State on Thursday.
Newsmen learnt in a traffic update on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, that a brake failure caused the accident.
A video of the accident scene sighted by our correspondent showed the deceased lying on the floor with blood splashed around her.
Some voices in the video were heard saying that she fell in front of the truck.
Some sources within the school confirmed that Temilade had just left the exam hall and was on her way home when the incident happened.
Akinbiyi noted that the incident occurred at about 10:15 am and involved a granite-laden truck with number plate AAA 640 XX, an unregistered Toyota car and a motorcycle.
The TRACE spokesperson noted that the motorcyclist fled the accident scene after the crash.
He said, “A fatal RTA/RTC at Sayedero market, Yewa South. It involved an Iveco truck with number plate AAA 640 XX, an unregistered Toyota car and a motorcycle. The cause of the accident was brake failure.
“One death was recorded, a female student of the Federal Poly, according to a witness.”
He noted that the body of the deceased was taken to the Ilaro General Hospital morgue by the polytechnic’s ambulance.
“Traffic was affected, but TRACE operatives were on the ground managing the traffic situation, and the victim has been taken to the Ilaro general hospital morgue by the FPI school authority with their ambulance,” Akinbiyi concluded.
When contacted for a reaction on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Sola Abiala, confirmed the incident.
The FPI spokesperson added that the driver of the truck was arrested by sympathisers at the scene of the incident and handed over to the police.
He disclosed that the polytechnic management immediately visited the scene of the accident, and rushed her to the hospital where she was confirmed dead.
“The incident involved an ND1 student named Temilade Adekunle. It happened outside the polytechnic’s campus. When we heard about the incident, the polytechnic deployed all necessary resources including an ambulance to convey her to the hospital where she was confirmed dead.
“The driver of the truck attempted to run away but was apprehended by those at the scene of the incident and handed over to the police.
“We have contacted her parent immediately. It is a sad situation and we offer our condolences to the family. As an institution, we are committed to the safety and security of our students,” Abiala said.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has expressed condolences over the death of the student.
NANS, in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, described the incident as devastating and a great loss to the students’ community.
Adeyemi said, “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that the National Association of Nigerian Students extends its deepest condolences to the entire student community of Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, the institution’s management, and the family of Miss Temilade Adekunle, who tragically lost her life in a devastating accident on Thursday.
Temilade was a bright and promising student whose life was cut short in a manner that has left us all in shock and grief. The news of her untimely passing, caused by a truck’s brake failure, is a painful reminder of the urgent need to address road safety concerns in our society.
“We stand in solidarity with her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. No words can adequately express the sorrow we feel, but we hope they find comfort in knowing that Temilade’s memory will forever remain in our hearts.”
He urged relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances behind the accident and put measures in place to avoid future occurrences.
“NANS calls on the relevant authorities to investigate this tragic incident thoroughly and ensure that measures are put in place to prevent such occurrences in the future. The safety of our students and citizens must remain a priority.
“As we mourn this irreparable loss, we urge all students to remain united and supportive of one another. Let us honour Temilade’s memory by striving for excellence and advocating for a safer environment for all,” Adeyemi concluded.
