At least two persons were injury in an auto accident involving a Nigeria Correctional Service van and a mini bus (Korope) at the Olaiya roundabout, Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday morning.
Champion gathered that the crash occured when the correctional facility van conveying prisoners to the State High Court around 9am failed to obey the traffic light and rammed into a moving mini bus (korope).
The mini bus driver had serious injuries on his head and legs while the female passenger who was the only passenger in the bus sustained minor injury.
A traffic warden who pleaded anonymity explained that the accident occured as a result of the reckless driving on the part of the correctional service driver who disobeyed the traffic light.
He said that the traffic light has stopped the side of the road where the correctional vehicle was coming but failed to stop and ram into the mini bus, that the light had passed.
The incident triggered a protest as motorists and residents gathered at the roundabout insisting that the injured victims are well taken care of.
They obstructed the correctional facility vehicle from leaving the roundabout, obstructing free passage of vehicles for over an hour.
It took the combined efforts of the police and the correctional service personnel that were drafted to the scene to disperse the crowd with tear gas.
Our correspondent who followed the minibus drivers to the court observed that leaders of the union of minibus drivers stormed the state high court, Okefia, but they were prevented from entering into the gate.
Reacting to the accident, Osun State government described the fatal crash as unfortunate.
The state government charged motorists and motorcycle riders to always obey the traffic lights at Olaiya junction in Osogbo and other places for their own safety.
The State government spoke through the Executive Secretary, Osun State Office of Transportation, Engr. Bilal Adiat while reacting to the early morning accident.
He said government has always warned motorists and other road users to always exercise patience and obey the traffic lights.
Engr. Bilal lamented that the accident which had casualties who have since been rushed to the hospital could have been averted if the traffic light controlling vehicles was obeyed.
He said, “this is what government has been hammering on every now then. For our good and the safety of other road users, let us please continue to obey the traffic lights at Olaiya junction in Osogbo and other places.
“A little patience is all that is needed, you will always get to your destination if you are patient. We don’t need to behave like people who are not guided by law, traffic laws are there for our own good and safety, let’s obey them please.”
