Three persons were reportedly killed on Sunday in Auchi, Edo State, when two trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement, an unidentified truck and a GLK Benz were involved in an accident in front of 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,” the narrator added.
Two trucks, one belonging to Dangote, another unidentified truck and a GLK Benz were involved in the accident, which claimed the lives of the three occupants in the GLK.
However, the senior pastor and general overseer of the church, Johnson Suleiman, said the death was avoidable, noting that some of the truck drivers were not trained and were under pressure to meet targets.
He said, “It is an 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 assess because several trucks work 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 because of the recklessness of some young boys, who, if well checked, might not even have licenses.
“I agree that the roads should be fixed. Even if the roads are fixed, many people play in the streets. It is not all about the government. We are all governments. Giving your truck to untrained drivers, is that the government? Overworking the drivers to meet your target has nothing to do with the government.
“The government has to do their part, but citizens must be responsible. This is one mess that should have been avoided.”
The PPRO of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, said those two trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement and another one, which has not been identified and a GLK Benz.
He noted that all three occupants in the GLK were confirmed dead in the hospital, while the Dangote truck caught fire, which was brought under control.
“I can confirm 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 vehicles involved were trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement and another unidentified one. The Dangote truck caught fire and was brought under control.