Black Sunday: Tragedy as four Unilorin students,5 others burn to death in Ilorin autocrash

By Ahmed Ajikobi
Four university of Ilorin students met with sudden death on Sunday morning as they were reportedly burnt to death along side five other victims in a multiple auto crash in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.
The University of Ilorin students that fell victims were identified as ,a 100 level, a 200 level and two 300 level students.
The 300 level students who were female among those who lost their lives to the incidents were identified as Omoniyi Oluwaseun and Joseph Kofoworola as at the time of filing this report their departments are yet to be known.
The multiple fatal accident, occurred at the Ilorin International Airport road along Ilorin expressway at about 8:00 am. It involved a commercial passenger bus from RASYAU garage in Geri Alimi area of the metropolis with registration number AFN 06 YL and a private Toyota Corolla car , dark gray color, with registration number LRN 787 FE.
It was gathered that Toyota Corolla vehicle and commercial vehicle involved in the crash were said to have carried petrol-filled kegs.
According to an eye witness, Yahaya Isiaka who told National Pilot, the driver of the Camry car that allegedly caused the accident ran away.
“The second vehicle Toyota Corolla coming from the airport sped out without
taking note of the commercial vehicle coming from Geri Alimi rammed into each other , with the bus somersaulting and landing sideways. Before the bus caught fire, four passengers managed to escape through the window with serious injuries. Another one who appeared to be a male, while trying to escape through the back of the vehicle was hooked by an object and the fire caught up with him. He was burned to death.
According to the FRSC boss Kwara sector command, Jonathan Owoade a total number of 20 people including eight males and 12 females were said to have been involved in the crash, while one male and eight females were reported dead.
Speaking on the incident, Owoade confirmed the development and described the crash as unfortunate.
“A car coming out of the airport ran across the road, thinking it could have crossed the road before the bus gets to it. Incidentally, it was said that it was carrying fuel. I would surely get back to you with details, including registration numbers of the vehicles”, he said.
He also said that the injured persons had been taken to the state general hospital, Ilorin by passersby before his men arrived at the scene of the crash, adding that the deceased were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) mortuary, Oke Oyi by the FRSC rescue and the patrol teams.
When our reporter visited the said RASYAU garage at Geri Alimi on the development, the chairman, Alhaji Ismail Apalando said he do monitor all the vehicles before they move out adding that the driver, Alausa and the victims’ case were very unfortunate.
“None of our drivers do carry PMS while traveling. I’m very strict and I don’t play with passengers’ lives. The incident was so saddening. We never pray for what happened today. May Almighty Allah grant those that lost their lives Al Janah Fridaus and pray for quick recovery for those that are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”

Also speaking, the secretary of the garage Abdurafiu Balogun said he was there when they where drawing PMS from the jerican to the vehicle tank.
According Abubakar Haji the Agbero man, ” I was the one who helped him to pour the petroleum into the vehicle’s tank. I was even asking the driver how he got the fuel. He told me that he knew he was going to travel today and he had arranged for the fuel to be used today.”
When our reporter visited the state General hospital, one of the nurses said that, the victims had been referred to UITH adding that their case is very serious.
In another development, another fatal accident occurred at Otte area along Ilorin-Ogbomoso expressway which claimed three lives.
According to the FRSC boss Jonathan Owoade, the incident happened at around 9:50 am.
The vehicle involved is Ford Galaxy with the registration number FFA 359 XB,Ash color.
“Out of 9 passengers, Seven male, one female adult. Six injured, three died. Team from police station Otte rescued the situation as the rescue team of FRSC were at airport doing rescuing.”
Meanwhile, former President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has commiserated with the families of the victims of the ghastly car crash that claimed nine lives at the airport junction in Ilorin yesterday.
Saraki, in a statement by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, prayed for the affected families who lost their loved ones in the car crash and also prayed for quick recovery for the survivors who are in the intensive care unit in the hospital.
“I have just seen the ghastly images of the car crash that occurred along the Ilorin-Lagos Highway. My sincere prayers are with the families of all those who lost their lives in this car crash, and the survivors that are in intensive care.”
“May Almighty Allah heal those that are in the hospital, and grant the families that have been affected by this misfortune the much-needed strength as they mourn the passing of their loved ones,” he said.
The University of Ilorin management also described the incident as very unfortunate adding that the entire management are in mourning over the issue.
The Corporate Affairs head of the institution, Kunle Akogun who spoke on behalf of the school said the management commiserated with the families and the students who loss their colleagues.
“It’s an unfortunate incident which has thrown the institution in the mourning mood.”
The school urged the ,FRSC, Police and other security agencies to stop all the drivers, tricycles who involved in such dangerous acts.
“Anyone one of them found wanting should face the book of law.”