A devastating road collision occurred late Monday in Edo State, claiming the lives of three individuals, including a commercial motorbike operator and his two passengers. The tragedy unfolded close to the Ogba River bridge within Oredo Local Government Area.
According to onlookers, a speeding sport utility vehicle (SUV) lost control and struck the motorcyclist and his passengers with fatal force.
“The driver was moving at an excessive speed. When the vehicle started to veer off course, he was unable to regain control, resulting in a direct hit on the motorbike and its riders,” a witness recounted to reporters.
This heartbreaking event ignited anger among commercial motorcyclists, who gathered on Tuesday along Airport Road to protest what they described as a surge in deadly crashes caused by reckless motorists. The demonstrators also accused the SUV driver of being involved in internet fraud, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo.”
Abdullahi Usman, one of the protest leaders, revealed that the deceased motorcyclist served as the secretary of their union.
“These fraudsters show no regard for human life. The accident was horrific. Only the Divisional Police Officer from Estate Police Station managed to calm us down. We demand justice and a comprehensive inquiry,” Usman stated.
Confirming the incident, Moses Yamu, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, affirmed that investigations are underway.
“I confirm that the motorcyclist and his two passengers lost their lives in this crash. The matter is being thoroughly investigated, and anyone found responsible will be held accountable,” Yamu declared.
This tragic accident has intensified calls for more rigorous enforcement of traffic regulations in Edo State, especially along the Airport Road stretch, which locals have identified as a hotspot for fatal accidents.