A somber atmosphere has enveloped the Amuloko area of Ibadan following a harrowing vehicular accident on Wednesday, which resulted in the loss of three lives after a passenger bus careened into the Ariyo River.
The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed that while three bodies were recovered from the water, five other passengers were successfully rescued alive during a high-stakes emergency operation.
The Chairman of the Agency, Mr Moroof Akinwande, released an official statement on Thursday detailing the rescue efforts. According to Mr Akinwande, the agency was alerted to the disaster via a distress call placed by a citizen, identified as Fadeke Yusuf. Emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene along the Amuloko Road.
“Upon arrival, our officers discovered a Suzuki minibus, bearing the Osun State registration number LEW 484 XA, submerged in the river,” Mr Akinwande stated. “The vehicle, which was carrying eight passengers at the time, appears to have lost control before plunging into the depths.”
The five survivors were swiftly transported to the Ona-Ara Private Hospital in the Jegede area, where they are currently receiving medical attention. The remains of the three deceased victims were recovered and formally handed over to a police team from the Ogbere Divisional Headquarters, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Aishat Ibrahim.
Preliminary investigations by the authorities have attributed the catastrophic event to reckless driving. Mr Akinwande took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to motorists, urging them to exercise heightened caution and strictly adhere to road safety protocols to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
The Chairman further expressed his gratitude to the collaborative teams involved in the rescue, specifically commending the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (Ona Ara Division) and the Chairman of the Ona Ara Local Government Area, Mr Glorious Temitope, for their vital support during the crisis.
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