Four people have been killed and another injured in an early-morning road crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
The accident occurred at about 4am on Wednesday near Straight Gate School, Ipara Remo, along the Ibadan-Lagos route.
Eight people were involved in the crash, which involved a blue Mitsubishi Cabstar with registration number FGE 753 XA and an ash-coloured HOWO truck bearing registration number T-695 KT.
The Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps said the Mitsubishi driver was travelling at high speed when he attempted to overtake the moving truck and subsequently rammed into it.
The FRSC identified speed violation and wrongful overtaking as the preliminary causes of the crash, while fatigue was also listed as a contributing factor.
The command’s spokesperson, Chief Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.
According to Odunsi, four male adults died in the crash, while another male adult sustained injuries. Three other people involved in the accident escaped unhurt.
“The Mitsubishi driver, reportedly travelling at high speed, rammed into the moving truck while attempting to overtake. Fatigue was also identified as a contributing factor, as the driver was reportedly fatigued during the journey,” he said.
Odunsi said the FRSC rescue team received the distress call at 4:33am and reached the scene six minutes later.
The injured victim was evacuated to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the FOS Mortuary, Ipara.
The two vehicles were later handed over to the Police Motor Traffic Division, Isara Division, for further investigation.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, cautioned motorists against speeding, driving while fatigued and dangerous overtaking, particularly during early-morning journeys.
Ogunjobi also advised motorists embarking on long-distance trips to ensure they are adequately rested and to overtake only when it is safe and permitted.