ONDO TRAGIC CRASH: ATTORNEY-GENERAL VOWS TO CRACK DOWN ON TRUCK OWNER, DELIVER JUSTICE TO VICTIMS’ FAMILIES
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The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, has announced that the state has initiated inquiries regarding the ownership of the truck involved in a tragic mishap that resulted in multiple fatalities.
Ajulo disclosed this information through a statement in Lagos on Friday.
The Attorney General, who voiced his indignation regarding the fatal occurrence, indicated that the state would take legal action against the truck driver and their employers once identified.
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“In the debate about the truck’s ownership, what is particularly inhumane is that the owner should have at least expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, yet opted to remain silent,” he remarked.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that an automobile collision that transpired in the Akungba-Akoko vicinity of the state on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, including a pregnant woman.
The incident involved a truck that reportedly lost control and crashed into several shops along the Owo-Akungba-Ikare Akoko expressway, claiming the lives of the victims instantly.
The Attorney General stated that the investigation is intended to ascertain the truck’s owner prior to any legal proceedings commencing.
“This is necessitated by the disputes surrounding the truck’s ownership, with several media outlets initially asserting that it belonged to the Dangote Group.
“Whoever is determined to be the owner of the truck will be apprehended and included in the prosecution,” he stated.
Ajulo expressed his frustration regarding the alarming increase in fatal accidents involving trucks and other heavy vehicles across Nigeria and specifically in Ondo State.
“These unfortunate events have taken the lives of innocent citizens, including the recent catastrophic crash which claimed the lives of a pregnant woman and her child, along with others,” he articulated.
Ajulo denounced the reckless driving exhibited by heavy truck operators, declaring such actions as utterly intolerable and necessitating immediate address.
He reaffirmed the steadfast dedication of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to ensure the safety of Ondo State residents on the roads.
“Enough is enough. The loss of life due to criminal negligence can no longer go unaddressed. From this moment forward, both the drivers involved in these tragic incidents and the company will be held vicariously responsible. We will pursue them to the fullest extent of the law for this criminal negligence,” he stated.
The Attorney General called for an immediate and comprehensive review of the operational protocols of truck owners, including adherence to safety regulations and the training provided to truck drivers nationwide.
He encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any instances of reckless driving involving heavy-duty trucks, assuring that the state government is committed to implementing all necessary measures to enforce road safety and protect lives.
“The lives of our citizens are paramount. We will not permit profit to take precedence over safety.
“As the community navigates its grief, the call for stricter regulations and accountability among commercial transport operators intensifies, demanding that such senseless tragedies be averted in the future,” he remarked.
He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, assuring them that justice would be pursued.
In the interim, the Dangote Group on Thursday refuted the claims associating it with the vehicle implicated in the road mishap at Akungba-Akoko, within the Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“The organization aims to clarify that the vehicle involved in this regrettable event is not owned by the Dangote Group or any of its affiliated entities.
“Authenticated vehicle registration information verifies that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB is owned and managed by an autonomous logistics firm with no connection to the Dangote Group,” the statement articulated.
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