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An accident that occurred in Ibadan on Wednesday claimed the lives of a personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo Sector Command and two other persons.
A Mercedez Benz, a Mack truck and a FRSC van were involved in the crash.
According to report, the accident occurred around Guru Maharajji village in the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Eye witnesses claim that accident, which left many injured, was as a result of negligence on the part of the FRSC officials on duty.
They alleged that the officials were in pursuit of a driver accused of flouting traffic rule.
But the FRSC in a statement on Thursday titled, ‘Ibadan road traffic crash involving FRSC personnel: The truth about the ugly incident,’ signed by Corps Commander, Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, confirmed the death of two persons – an official of the corps and another unidentified person.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps has been drawn to the unfortunate road traffic crash that occurred in Ibadan that claimed the lives of an FRSC staff and one other person who is yet to be identified.
“Due to the sensitivity of the incident and the need to commence immediate investigation, the Corps Marshal has directed the Oyo State Sector Commander to carry out full investigation into the cause of the incident and report immediately.
“While investigation is still ongoing, the public is advised to remain calm and peaceful. Meanwhile, first information report at our disposal indicates as follows:
“At about midday of Wednesday, around 11am, a team of FRSC men assigned to monitor and control traffic were approached by a truck driver who intended to make an enquiry from one of the members of the team.
“In the course of the inquiry, a Mercedes Benz ran into the patrol vehicle and in the process killed the arresting marshal and the other person while they were discussing with the other FRSC official occupying the driver’s seat who was also seriously affected by the crash.
“The sector commander along with her management team inspected the scene to conduct a crash investigation and also to gather information from first responders (eyewitnesses).
“From that investigation, it was gathered that the FRSC patrol vehicle was not in motion when the incident occurred.
“The seriously injured victim has been since rushed to hospital for medical attention while the deceased have been taken to the morgue.
“The Corps Marshal commiserates with all affected and sends his condolences to the families of the victims and wish the injured victim quick recovery.”