Two Brothers Crushed to Death During VIO Stop-and-Search Operation in Ondo

Two brothers were on Wednesday afternoon crushed to death after a truck rammed into vehicles and motorcycles along Reuben Fasoranti Road, Akure, the Ondo State capital, during a Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) stop-and-check operation.

The victims, said to be middle-aged men riding on a motorcycle, died instantly in the fatal crash which occurred near the VIO headquarters in Alagbaka.

Eyewitnesses said the deceased were fruit sellers operating beside Iyeoma Plaza in the area.

A commercial driver, Ajayi Iyiola, who narrowly escaped death said the VIO officials were carrying out checks on vehicle licences, a development that allegedly caused heavy traffic congestion before a break failure truck ploughed into waiting vehicles.

Recounting his ordeal, the driver said he had parked his vehicle to deliver goods to his boss when he suddenly heard people screaming.

“I came to deliver goods to my boss, but the shop was yet to open, so I parked my vehicle.

“As I was moving towards the boot to bring down the goods in front of the shop, I suddenly heard people shouting.

“When I looked back, I saw the tipper ramming into vehicles and motorcycles. I immediately ran for my life. You can see how badly my vehicle was damaged.

“The truck crushed the two men on the motorcycle instantly. I thank God for sparing my life,” he said.

Police officers from the Ijapo Division later evacuated the victims’ bodies to the morgue.

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The incident sparked anger among residents and sympathisers, many of whom blamed the VIO officers for allegedly contributing to the traffic buildup that preceded the crash.

It took the intervention of the Nigeria Police Force to prevent angry youths from attacking the VIO office and to restore calm in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Sector Public Enlightenment Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, said investigations had commenced into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The FRSC also disclosed that the corpses had been deposited at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital mortuary by the police.