…security operatives deny relatives access to victims
By Matthew Denis and Ahmed Ajikobi
Following the auto crash that claimed seven lives and about 70 others injured at Apado area, Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, families of some of the injured victims have transferred their patients from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) to undisclosed hospitals for treatment.
Recall that the ghastly motor accident, which involved a Toyota Dyna with number plate FA 655 NAS and a Toyota Hiace with number plate LSD 919 SR occurred around 9:40am on Tuesday.
Among those said to be injured according to the Kwara State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Uchechukwu Wihioka are 34 female adults, 24 males as well as six male and six female children.
When our reporters visited UITH, around 12:30 pm, yesterday, one of the victims of the accident was being carried out of the Accident and Emergency unit into a waiting black Toyota Camry car by members of his family.
The victim appeared to be in critical condition but the family declined comment when our reporters asked why the patient was being relocated from the hospital.
Meanwhile, several relatives and sympathisers of the accident victims were denied entry into the Accident & Emergency (A&E)unit by security operatives with the claim that there was no more space for visitors.
One of the doctors and security officials on duty who spoke with our reporters under anonymity disclosed that some of the victims with minor injuries have been discharged adding that those with fractures and other challenges remain in the A&E unit.
Speaking with our reporters in his office, yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of UITH, Umar Abdulkareem said the victims are responding to treatment.
When contacted on telephone yesterday, the state police spokesperson, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi said that he was officially informed about the accident and he immediately deployed officers and men to arrest the situation.
Though he confirmed that some lives were lost, Okasanmi however said those that were injured have been taken to hospital for treatment.
He urged road users to be cautious while driving and to abide by traffic rules and regulations always.
Similarly, the Kwara State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Wihioka, while speaking with our reporter, in his office yesterday, blamed the accident on dangerous driving and wrong overtaking by the Toyota Dyna.
He said, “The Toyata Dyna while trying to overtake on Osin Bridge, Apado lost control and rammed into a Toyota Hiace with number plate LSD 919 XR. The occupants fell out in the process and seven deaths were recorded on the spot and 70 others injured among which include 34 adult female, 24 adult male, 12 children comprising six male and six female. The victims were taken to UITH for treatment.”
He however warned the road users to apply caution and avoid the intake of alcohol before and while driving.
” If you must drink, drink water and don’t over speed. The passengers should drive along with their drivers and caution them if they are over speeding.”
Meanwhile, the Kwara Sector Command of the FRSC in collaboration with the Hope Alive Trust Organisation, on Monday in Ilorin, trained its officers and the public on trauma management and handling of road accident victims.
The Sector Commander, Wihioka, while speaking with our reporter on the sidelines of the workshop, said that it was necessary to train officers and the general public on how to handle trauma caused by crashes on the road.
“The participants are not only the military and para-military, there are communities members who are usually the first responders to crashes.
“The youths from some of these communities are here, to be trained on how to ensure that they reduce trauma affecting victims of road crashes.
“And we expect that from time to time we will assemble for workshops like this, maybe quarterly, so that we can assess our performance at the end of every quarter.
“Crash does not give warnings, but when it happens and there are victims, you should know what do at anytime.”
