Fresh outrage has trailed Wednesday’s fatal road accident in Akungba-Akoko, where at least eight people were confirmed dead after a truck loaded with cement rammed into roadside shops near the main gate of Adekunle Ajasin University.
The tragic incident, which occurred when the truck reportedly suffered a brake failure while descending from the Ikare axis, sparked anger among students who, by Thursday morning, took to the streets in protest at the university gate.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the students demanded justice for the victims and immediate government intervention to prevent future occurrences.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Ondo State, Samuel Ibitoye, the crash claimed the lives of eight people—five males, two females, and a male child.
“The incident, which involved a truck loaded with bags of cement, ran into a barricade in front of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and lost control, resulting in the crash. No fewer than eight people were killed,” Ibitoye confirmed.
Among the victims was Muhammed Qudus, a student from the Department of Arts Education, according to a statement by the university’s Student Representative Council (SRC).
An eyewitness, identified simply as Toyin, said the barricade—originally installed to restrict the movement of heavy-duty vehicles through the town—had been illegally opened while students were on break.
“The barricade was installed after a similar accident in 2021 to prevent trucks from passing through the town. But since students went on holiday, some residents started opening it for trailers. That’s how this truck got in before it lost control,” Toyin explained.
The incident has since ignited a blame game between the Students’ Union Government (SUG) and Akungba community leaders over who controls access to the barricade.
In a statement signed by the SUG Public Relations Officer, Comrade Ajidagba Mosadoluwa, the union confirmed that up to ten people had died and urged students to remain calm.
“We have made several efforts to stop trucks from plying Akungba roads because they pose a danger to lives and property. As it stands, up to ten persons have lost their lives in this tragic incident,” the statement read.
The SUG President, Comrade Salami Akeem, further alleged that corruption and compromise had undermined safety measures around the barricade.
“The barricade was secured with a padlock, and one key was handed to the student union. However, some individuals affiliated with the Palace kept spare keys and turned the barricade into a toll point for truck drivers. We have handed one suspect over to the police,” Akeem alleged.
The students’ union demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for reopening the barricade and called on the Ondo State Government to issue a statewide ban on heavy-duty vehicles using the Akungba–Ikare route.
It also urged the government to reinstall and reinforce the barricade immediately to prevent further tragedies.
In a swift response, however, the Alale Royal Palace of Akungba land dismissed the allegations as “baseless propaganda.”
The Palace stated that responsibility for managing the barricade had already been handed to the student union following a joint meeting held on October 18, 2025.
“From that moment, responsibility for monitoring the barricade rested with the SUG President and the engineer involved. Any incident that occurred after that date falls under their watch,” the palace said.
The palace further accused some student leaders of politicising the tragedy and inciting protests against the traditional institution.
As of press time, the driver of the truck remained at large, while emergency officials continued clearing the wreckage and working to identify remaining victims.
