Tragedy struck late Saturday night in Ekiti State, as a trailer said to be fully loaded with bags of rice belonging to an Ekiti politician, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, crashed at Iworoko Ekiti.
The truck belonged to the Dangote Group and was transiting from Ado Ekiti to Iju/Ita Ogbolu in Ondo State to deliver the rice.
The trailer said to have developed brake failure, crashed into Iworoko market, allegedly killing over 20 people.
It was learnt that the trailer caused multiple accidents on Iworoko road, as it also affected an 18-seater Toyota bus and a Toyota Corolla car, thereby causing heavy traffic.
An unconfirmed eyewitness account said 40 people including every member of a family and 10 children were said to have died in the accident.
Speaking with newsmen, Caleb Ikechukwu, spokeperson of the Ekiti State Police Command, confirmed the accident and deaths.
“The accident actually happened at Iworoko road in Ado Ekiti just this evening and I heard that there were causalities, but I cannot give figures. I am yet to get proper briefing about it. I learnt that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of that area is now on his way to the scene. So, I cannot give you the details, until he is back to brief us,” he said.
It was gathered that the corpses of those who lost their lives in the fatal accident have been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.
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Over 30 lives claimed at iworoko market in ekitie
God have mercy pic.twitter.com/AvDWpMcoS6
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— Timi Lambo Mebude (@iamtimilambo) January 13, 2019
My sincerest condolence with the family if the people that lost their lives at the IWOROKO Market in Ekiti .. May God grantvthwm the fortitude to bear the loss.. Amen.. #EkitiMourns#BlackSaturdayInEkiti
I just hope we can see how APC is destroying our country.. #EkitiMourns pic.twitter.com/6gqd39CAL3
— Leslie. C. Iheduru (@Iamleslie_Chydi) January 13, 2019
Please slow down if you are driving towards iworoko Ifaki road tonight, an accident happen infront of iworoko market, according to eyes witness a trailer lost its break, and crush one Suzuki motor with full load, actual number of casualties can't be ascertain for now. pic.twitter.com/jP6tN4uR58
— ADE ADE (@ADEADE95230527) January 12, 2019
VIDEO: Many Crushed To Death As Trailer Carrying 'Election Rice' In Ekiti State, Rams Into Iworoko Market, Tonight, Due To Brake Failure.. pic.twitter.com/2DGExqJ6q3
— Viral Trendz (@TheViralTrendz) January 12, 2019