Many people were burnt to death in an auto crash at Oko-Olowo, along Ilorin-Jebba expressway, in Ilorin, Kwara state.
According to the Tribune Online, the auto crash occurred at about 8:30 am on Friday February 28, 2025 when a trailer carrying fertilizer and petrol laden truck collided while overtaking, resulting in inferno.
Unconfirmed sources put the number of burnt victims at not less than 60 people, said to be traveling from the northern part of the country.
Eyewitnesses said that victims were burnt beyond recognition in the auto crash, adding that the affected vehicles burnt for over two hours.
It was gathered that no vehicles from both sides of the road could move while the incident lasted.
It was also learnt that officials of the state fire service arrived the scene at about 10:30 am after the losses to put out the raging fire.
It was a gory sight, as burnt skulls and other parts of human bodies like legs, arms, etc. were seen being burnt inside the affected vehicles, while other parts of the victims had been burnt to ashes at the scene of the accident.
One of the eyewitnesses of the incident, Sheu Arobadi, said that the trailer loaded with fertilizer tried to overtake petrol laden truck and the two vehicles collided on the sides, thus, resulting in an inferno
The eyewitness, who said that occupants on top of the trailer scampered for safety immediately the incident happened, added that so were the occupants of the truck carrying the fertilizer, who he said jumped from top of the vehicle to escape being caught up in the ensued flame.
“Many of the people suffered broken legs and arms as they were jumping down from the vehicles. A father had to throw one of his children out of the burning vehicles before he could also jump down. Those who sustained injuries and fractures had been rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention,” he said.
Arobadi, who said that he lives around the area, added that several road accidents occur at least once every week along the expressway, with heavy losses of lives and property.
Residents of the area called on government to find lasting solution to the frequent occurrence of crashes along the road, while suggesting construction of overhead bridge to check the development.