RESIDENTS of Sowo Village, Ogun State, took to the streets yesterday in protest after a tragic accident claimed the lives of four pupils from Iddo Primary School, Kobape.
The demonstrators blocked the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway, demanding justice and stricter road safety measures.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m. when a Toyota Corolla with registration number KSF 579 DM reportedly lost control and struck the children as they walked home from school. The driver was nearly lynched by furious locals but was rescued by security personnel.
Spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the accident in a phone interview.
He stated that the children died on the spot and were later taken to the General Hospital in Ijaiye, where they were confirmed dead and subsequently released to their families for burial.
“According to eyewitnesses, the car was speeding when it veered off and hit the pupils on the walkway,” Akinbiyi said.
The tragedy occurred just two days after another fatal crash at the Siun junction of the same expressway, where a motorcyclist and his passenger lost their lives in a multi-vehicle collision involving a truck and several vehicles.
Following yesterday’s incident, angry community members disrupted traffic with their protest. However, normalcy was restored through the joint efforts of TRACE, the police, and military personnel.
Authorities continue to urge motorists to observe traffic regulations and drive responsibly to prevent further loss of life on the state’s highways.