A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Oluwatosin Abidakun, has died after an articulated truck rammed into the motorcycle conveying her and another corps member around Agodi Gardens in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Abidakun, who had recently resumed her primary assignment at the Oyo State House of Assembly, was returning home after work on Monday when the fatal accident occurred in Ibadan North Local Government Area.
Her colleague, who was also recently posted to the Assembly, sustained injuries, including a reported broken leg, and was taken to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for medical attention.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the death, while its personnel evacuated the victims from the scene.
FRSC State Sector Commander, Kehinde Dahunsi, disclosed that Abidakun’s body was taken to the Adeoyo Hospital morgue, while the injured corps member was transported to UCH.
“Yes, it was true. It was only one corps member, a female, who died so far, because the corps member was on a motorcycle. The motorcycle rider broke his leg. And we have evacuated them,” Dahunsi said.
He added that FRSC personnel attended to the incident and evacuated the victims for appropriate medical attention.
Eyewitnesses allege earlier collisions
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the articulated truck had allegedly been involved in multiple collisions around the Sango area of Ibadan before reaching Agodi Gardens, where it struck the motorcycle carrying the two corps members.
One eyewitness said the truck hit several vehicles around Sango before heading toward Agodi.
Another eyewitness alleged that the driver was attempting to escape after the earlier collisions when the fatal incident occurred.
According to the witness, the truck rammed into the motorcycle near Agodi Gardens, killing Abidakun and leaving several other people injured.
Ogundoyin mourns deceased corps member
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has expressed grief over Abidakun’s death, describing it as a painful and devastating loss.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Tuesday, Ogundoyin said the incident was particularly heartbreaking because the deceased had only recently commenced her national service with hopes and aspirations for the future.
He described her death as a loss to her family, friends and colleagues, as well as the Assembly, where she had recently begun her service year.
“The life of a promising young Nigerian had been cut short in such tragic circumstances,” the Speaker said.
Ogundoyin extended his condolences to Abidakun’s family, friends, colleagues and fellow corps members, praying that God would give them the strength to bear the loss.
He also expressed concern about the condition of the surviving corps member and prayed for a speedy and complete recovery.
