Oyo State Police Command has attributed a fatal road accident involving multiple vehicles and pedestrians at Soka Junction in Ibadan to reckless driving and excessive speed.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday night along the busy Ibadan–Lagos Expressway in Oluyole Local Government Area, reportedly claimed two lives and left several others injured, triggering panic among motorists and residents in the area.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the crash happened at about 10:10 p.m.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicated that a white HOWO truck with registration number Gombe GEM 696 XE, driven by Abdullahi Bashiru, lost control due to excessive speed and reckless driving. The truck subsequently rammed into other vehicles and pedestrians.
“The Oyo State Police Command is aware of a tragic multiple-vehicle and pedestrian accident that occurred at Soka Junction, Ibadan, along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at about 22:10 hours.
“The command regrets to confirm that two persons lost their lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The accident also involved and damaged multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Venza and a BMW, among others.
“Preliminary findings reveal that the accident was caused by a white HOWO truck with registration number Gombe GEM 696 XE, driven by Abdullahi Bashiru. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle due to reckless driving and excessive speed, ramming into other vehicles and pedestrians,” the statement read.
The police noted that several vehicles, including a Toyota Venza and a BMW, were damaged in the crash.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, commiserated with the families of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
“The Commissioner of Police commiserates with the families of the deceased and prays for the quick recovery of the injured victims.
“The command wishes to assure the general public that a thorough investigation has commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure that justice is served,” Ayanlade added.
He urged motorists to exercise caution, adhere strictly to traffic regulations, and avoid speeding to prevent similar tragedies.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while encouraging residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information.
Police blame speeding driver for deadly Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash
