Tragic Incident Mars Ondo Carnival as Vehicle Plows Through Procession, Kills Organiser

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Ikare Akoko, located in the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, witnessed a tragedy on Tuesday when an articulated vehicle collided with a carnival organized by the youth, resulting in the death of one person.

The annual carnival, a festive tradition in the town, took a devastating turn when a J5 bus, transporting passengers from the north, collided with the youths who were in procession on the streets. The incident occurred as the procession was en route from Olokelede in Ekan Ikare to Okela.

According to eyewitnesses, the collision claimed the life of one person, and two others sustained various degrees of injuries, currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The news of the incident quickly spread, leading to unrest among the youth who sought to protest the tragic event.

Olatunbosun Ayinde, the Olokelede of Ekan Ikare and a community leader, expressed condolences to the victims’ families while placing blame on the impatience of the J5 bus driver. Ayinde urged the youth to ensure proper organization during public events and advised them to coordinate with the Nigeria Police and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for security and traffic control.

Confirming the incident, Ropo Alabi, the Unit Commander of the FRSC in Ikare, attributed the accident to over-speeding. He reported that the injured individuals were promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this unfortunate event, questions arise about the need for enhanced safety measures during public gatherings.