The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osun State Sector Command, has blamed excessive speeding and dangerous driving for a fatal crash that occurred along the Ife-Ilesa Expressway.
The accident, which happened at Tonkere town on Saturday, involved a Toyota Hiace bus and a black Volkswagen Golf car.
According to the Osun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Sunday Adebayo, three people were killed in the crash, while 20 others sustained injuries of varying degrees.
Adebayo said the victims comprised two females and one male, adding that the injured persons were taken to medical facilities for treatment.
He disclosed that a total of 23 people were involved in the crash, including 11 females, nine males, and three children — two boys and one girl.
“Three people died. Altogether, we have about 20 others who were injured in the crash,” the sector commander said.
The FRSC boss attributed the cause of the accident to over-speeding and reckless driving, warning motorists against behaviours that put lives at risk.
“Excessive speeding is killing. The accident happened due to over-speeding and dangerous driving,” Adebayo stated.
He explained that rescue operations began within minutes after the agency received a distress alert from a member of the public, noting that FRSC teams from Ife and Ilesa were immediately deployed to the scene.
“Our boys got to the place within five minutes. One of the members of the public alerted us, and we were already on the road by the time the incident happened,” he said.
Adebayo added that some victims with minor injuries had been treated and discharged, while those with serious injuries remained under medical care.
The vehicles involved in the crash were later removed from the expressway and taken to a police station in Ife, restoring normal traffic flow.
The sector commander urged motorists to reduce their speed and drive responsibly, stressing that lower speeds could reduce the impact of road crashes.
“If you go at a lower speed, if you have cause to be involved in a crash, the fatality will not be as much as what we saw this morning,” he said.
He also called on road users to embrace shared responsibility, urging Nigerians to respect the rights of other motorists and pedestrians.
The FRSC said it would continue its public enlightenment campaigns and road safety initiatives across Osun State to reduce accidents and prevent avoidable deaths.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.