Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, has announced that the state is investigating the ownership of a truck involved in a tragic accident that claimed multiple lives.
Ajulo made this known in a statement in Lagos on Friday.
The Attorney-General, expressing outrage over the fatal incident, stated that the state will prosecute the truck driver and their employers once identified.
“In the controversy over ownership of the truck, what is inhuman is that the owner should have at least commiserated with families of the dead but chose to be silent,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that an auto crash in the Akungba-Akoko area of the state on Wednesday claimed 10 lives, including a pregnant woman. The crash involved a truck that allegedly lost control and rammed into some shops along the Owo-Akungba-Ikare Akoko expressway, killing the victims on the spot.
The Attorney-General said the investigation aims to identify the truck’s owner before prosecution can commence. This clarification comes amid controversy, as many media outlets initially reported the truck was owned by the Dangote Group.
“Whoever owned the truck will be fished out and will be joined in the prosecution,” he declared.
Ajulo expressed anger over the alarming rise in fatal accidents involving trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles across Nigeria and in Ondo State.
“These tragic incidents have claimed the lives of innocent citizens, including this recent devastating crash that took the lives of a pregnant woman, her child, and others,” he said.
Ajulo condemned the reckless driving displayed by heavy truck drivers, declaring such behaviour “utterly unacceptable” and something that “must be confronted immediately.” He reaffirmed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Ondo State residents on the roads.
“Enough is enough. The loss of lives due to criminal negligence can no longer go unchecked. From this moment forward, both the drivers involved in these horrific incidents and the company itself will be held vicariously liable. We will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law for this criminal negligence,” he stated.
The Attorney-General called for an urgent and thorough review of trucking companies’ operational protocols, including their compliance with safety regulations and the training provided to drivers nationwide.
He urged the public to be vigilant and report any reckless driving incidents involving heavy-duty trucks, assuring them that the state government remains committed to taking all necessary measures to enforce road safety and protect lives.
“The lives of our people are paramount. We will not allow profit to take precedence over safety. As the community grapples with its grief, the clamour for stricter regulations and accountability among commercial transport operators grows louder, demanding that such senseless tragedies be prevented in the future,” he said.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased, assuring them that they would get justice.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Group on Thursday refuted allegations linking it to the truck involved in the Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, road accident.
“The company wishes to make it clear that the truck involved in the unfortunate incident does not belong to Dangote Group or any of its subsidiaries,” a company statement read. “Verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group.”
NAN
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