How graduate was killed selling roasted yam

In less than 30 minutes of Busayo arriving the scene, tragedy struck. She and her mother were badly hit in a lone accident at the spot they were roasting yams. In the accident, both sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Witnesses said a 40-foot container on a trailer detached from the heavy duty vehicle while in motion along the Ikere-Ado road. The detached part rammed into a stationary tanker parked nearby the victims’ shed. While the stationary vehicle then ran into Mrs. Akogun and her daughter.

Mrs. Akogun, about 48, was said to have sustained injuries on her legs and head while Busayo, died at the teaching hospital, Ado-Ekiti, where the duo were rushed to after the accident. Her mother had been rushed to the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Osun state, where she was referred to for further treatment.

The truck with registration number Lagos JJJ 603 XA, was said to be coming from Akure, Ondo State, allegedly on high speed when suddenly, the container detached and dragged a stationary tanker parked a few metres away from the point where the duo displayed their roast yam. Sympathizers were last Wednesday trooping to condole with the family. A member of the family who craved anonymity, lamented that Busayo, the first child of her mother, was always “with her siblings at the roadside assisting their mother in her business.

A neighbour of the Akoguns, Mr. Olowolafe Adekunle, lamented that accidents have become a daily occurrence on the Ikere-Ado road, saying no less than four people died in accidents on the road recently and appealed to government to fix the bad portions on the road to ensure free movement of vehicles. He said, “Tell Governor Fayemi to repair the bad portions of this road. We don’t need flowers, he should roads and expand them on both sides; the road is too narrow.”

Meanwhile, other roasted yam sellers on the highway in the area have closed shops in sympathy with their colleagues. The state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, who arrived the scene shortly after the incident, admonished drivers to always obey traffic rules and road signs to avoid accidents which often occur because they neglect simple regulations. The deputy governor noted that over speeding and lack of consideration for other road users by drivers of heavy duty trucks cause most of the accidents.