Ijebu Ode bridge accident leaves 10 dead and three injured after a speeding bus plunges into river. Authorities warn against overspeeding and night travel

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]jebu Ode bridge accident resulted in the tragic loss of 10 lives on Friday night after a passenger bus plunged into a river along the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan Expressway.

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The incident occurred near the Omu bridge, located at the Awa Ijebu axis, shocking the local community and prompting fresh concerns about road safety.

The lone vehicle, a Mitsubishi bus carrying 15 occupants, reportedly lost control at high speed and somersaulted into the river beneath the bridge.

The bus bore the registration number EJ829-LSR and was said to be travelling from Ijebu Ode to Ibadan when the crash occurred.

Eyewitnesses revealed that the accident happened at about 8:30 pm, just after dark. Videos taken at the scene showed lifeless bodies of victims as onlookers and emergency responders tried to rescue survivors from the submerged vehicle.

A community member identified only as TMC, who was one of the first at the scene, described the accident as devastating.

“It was a tragic accident involving an 18-passenger bus en route from Ijebu Ode to Ibadan. The bus crashed into the river, possibly due to overspeeding, resulting in about 12 fatalities,” TMC said emotionally.

The official death toll, confirmed by the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), stood at 10.

TRACE spokesperson Babatunde Akinbiyi said three people were injured, while two others—a toddler and an adult—escaped without injuries.

Speaking to our correspondent on Saturday, Akinbiyi said that the bus driver had attempted a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre at high speed when he spotted an oncoming vehicle.

In a desperate attempt to avoid a collision, he swerved off the road, struck an abandoned gravel base, and veered off the bridge entirely.

“The driver lost control due to wrongful overtaking while on high speed. He rammed into a gravel pile abandoned beside the bridge, causing the vehicle to plunge into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

Emergency services were delayed in reaching the site due to the difficult terrain and the time of the crash. It was not until early Saturday morning that authorities could commence full recovery operations.

The deceased—seven males and three females—were all declared dead at the scene and their bodies have been deposited at the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital morgue. The injured victims were also taken to the same facility for treatment.

“It’s a heartbreaking situation. Most of the passengers were returning from a family event. The loss is unimaginable,” a local resident said quietly while observing the recovery efforts.

Akinbiyi used the opportunity to issue a stern reminder to motorists about the dangers of excessive speed and night travel.

“TRACE, POLICE, and FRSC commiserate with the families of the victims. Motorists are again warned against excessive speed and travelling at night due to its attendant consequences,” he said.

Ijebu Ode bridge accident has once again highlighted the urgent need for safer road practices and proper highway maintenance, particularly along major express routes in Ogun State.

Locals have also called on government authorities to remove abandoned road materials that pose hazards to moving vehicles.

While families mourn the loss of their loved ones, many are demanding stronger enforcement of traffic laws and improved road safety measures to prevent similar disasters in future.

The accident site remains a grim reminder of the fragile nature of life on Nigerian roads.

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Authorities have promised a full investigation into the incident. For now, the community grieves, united in sorrow after a night that began like any other but ended in tragedy.next.