•An accident scene
The Oyo State Police Command has attributed a multiple-vehicle and pedestrian accident at Soka Junction in Oluyole Local Government Area to reckless driving, which claimed the lives of two persons and left several others with varying degrees of injuries.
It was learnt that the incident, which occurred on Saturday night along the busy Ibadan–Lagos Expressway, involved both vehicles and pedestrians, causing panic among road users in the area, reports The PUNCH.
In a statement issued yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the accident occurred at about 10:10 pm.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the crash was caused by a white HOWO truck with registration number Gombe GEM 696 XE, driven by Abdullahi Bashiru, who allegedly lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed and reckless driving.
Ayanlade stated that the truck rammed into other vehicles and pedestrians, resulting in fatalities and multiple injuries.
He added that several vehicles, including a Toyota Venza and a BMW, were also damaged in the incident.
“The Oyo State Police Command is aware of a tragic multiple-vehicle and pedestrian accident that occurred at Soka Junction, Ibadan, along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at about 22:10 hours.
“The command regrets to confirm that two persons lost their lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The accident also involved and damaged multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Venza and a BMW, among others.
“Preliminary findings reveal that the accident was caused by a white HOWO truck with registration number Gombe GEM 696 XE, driven by Abdullahi Bashiru. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle due to reckless driving and excessive speed, ramming into other vehicles and pedestrians,” the statement read.
The police spokesman added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Abimbola, commiserated with the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
“The Commissioner of Police commiserates with the families of the deceased and prays for the quick recovery of the injured victims.
“The command wishes to assure the general public that a thorough investigation has commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure that justice is served,” Ayanlade added.
He urged motorists to exercise caution, comply strictly with traffic regulations, and avoid excessive speed to prevent avoidable loss of life.
“The command remains committed to the protection of lives and property and urges residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and useful information,” the statement added.
