Survivors and traders at Eleyele Market, Ibadan have revealed how they escaped death in a fatal accident that occurred at Eleyele Junction in the city on Wednesday, resulting in the loss of two lives while six others were injured.
The incident occurred at the peak traffic hours, causing disruption in the area. The scene was chaotic, with bystanders rushing to help the victims while others called for emergency services.
Security agents arrived quickly at the scene while emergency responders worked to transport the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. The two deceased persons were said to have been pronounced dead on arrival.
The accident has raised concerns among residents about road safety measures at the busy junction. But in the aftermath of the accident, some traders and survivors have narrated their ordeal during the sad incident.
Speaking with our correspondent, a transporter at Eleyele garage, Isiaka Awoyemi, said he would have also died in the accident if his bus was loading at the time the accident occurred.
He said: “I was sitting down there when the incident occurred. I packed my bus inside the garage. We all ran for our lives because it was sudden and unexpected.
“I also would have died if not for God that saved me.”
He added: “One of the women that died just got to the market in the morning. She went to buy food, and on her way back to her seat, the truck crushed her.
“Although she also tried to escape, she could not. After the incident, when we all got back from where we ran to, we carried her, unknown to us that the truck had also crushed the head of another woman who was sitting down there.
“Some of the victims who were seriously injured are currently at UCH (University College Hospital, Ibadan) while others with minor injuries are in a nearby hospital
“Two people died. One was buried yesterday. Her mother has heard about the incident. Her father died only recently.
“She had four children and her children are still small. We tried to rescue her. We took her to the hospital but we were told she had already died.
“They said her waist was broken.”
Another trader at the market, Mrs. Fatimoh Bakare, who also witnessed the accident, said: “We cannot explain how it happened. We were sitting down with our respective goods. Then suddenly we heard a loud noise.
“We ran and most of us fell down. It was just like a film. I was also injured.
“Kazeem Bolanle, who is a brother to me, is currently at UCH. His two legs were broken.
She said: “We sat down and were backing the road. Then we just heard the sound. God saved me. I don’t even know how I fell down and escaped.”
Our reporter, who also visited Arike Hospital, Eleyele Junction, Ibadan where two victims were taken gathered that the two victims had been discharged and had gone home.
Efforts made by our reporter to get the reactions of injured victims at the University College Hospital (UCH) Emergency Unit were abortive as access to the victims was denied by the security people on ground.
Meanwhile, one of the traders at the market, Mrs Sakirat Kazeem, has revealed her last moment with one of the deceased persons popularly known as “Iya Alfa”, describing the deceased as a lovely and kind-hearted woman.
She said: “We called her Iya Alfa. She was a senior wife to me. She was a good woman. In fact, at times, she paid the transport fare for my goods when I didn’t have money.
“She didn’t use to come to the market every day; she only came every five days. She used to come from Ido market. She would bring whatever she bought at Ido market here to sell.
“The day the accident occurred was the first day she would come to the market since the beginning of this year.
“When she came in the morning, she greeted me happy new year, and I also responded.
“There is nothing someone can do without God. I can’t even explain how I escaped, because I was also at the scene of the incident
“When I saw the truck coming, I jumped and held a poll. I started shouting Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ. I jumped away despite the fact that I didn’t have the strength to jump.
The Iyaloja (market leader) of Eleyele Market, Alhaja Ganiyat Adekola and Chairman of the garage, Wasiu Lamidi, while speaking with The Nation, said those that died or got injured were not roadside traders, adding that the truck crushed them inside the garage following brake failure.
They urged the state government to provide a large space for traders to serve as a market for them instead of using the garage, to forestall future reoccurrence.
“We need a proper market so that our people will stop using the garage as market. Also, the VIO should enlighten truck drivers on how to drive the truck.
“The boy who drove the truck was too small. Anybody who would drive a truck should be mature and have enough experience.”
As the community mourns the loss of life and supports the injured, it is clear that this tragic event has sparked a renewed commitment to road safety in Ibadan.
Residents hope that through collaboration and proactive measures, they can create a safer environment for all road users. The memory of the victims will serve as a catalyst for change, urging everyone to prioritise safety on the roads.
Community leaders and concerned citizens within the area have begun to discuss potential solutions to enhance safety at Eleyele Junction, emphasising the need for increased awareness among drivers and the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.
Some residents suggested organising a community-led campaign to educate drivers on safe driving practices, particularly in high-traffic areas. The discussion highlighted the collective responsibility of both authorities and citizens in ensuring road safety.
Officials acknowledged the community’s concerns and have pledged to take action to improve safety measures. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers present on the roads and the urgent need for effective interventions to prevent future accidents.