Three members of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Ekiti Local Government branch, Kwara State, have died in a tragic road accident along the Oke-Onigbin–Omu-Aran highway. The incident, which occurred around 3pm on Saturday, involved a commercial Mazda bus with registration number ARP627KY. The victims were returning from the Workers’ Day celebration in Ilorin when the vehicle crashed. The accident also left four other occupants injured, bringing the total number of people involved to seven — three males and four females.
According to Kabir Kazeem, the Kwara State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the crash was caused by excessive speed. He confirmed that one of the bus’s tyres burst while the vehicle was moving at high speed, causing the driver to lose control. “The crash was a lone accident involving a Mazda commercial bus with registration number ARP627KY. It occurred as a result of speeding,” Kazeem stated. He added that three of the female occupants lost their lives at the scene. Rescue teams were immediately deployed to the accident site, and the injured, along with the bodies of the deceased, were evacuated to a hospital in Omu-Aran for medical attention.
Kazeem urged drivers to strictly adhere to speed limits and to conduct regular vehicle maintenance, especially tyre checks, before embarking on any journey. He also encouraged passengers to speak up when they observe reckless driving, emphasizing that such actions could save lives. The incident has drawn widespread sorrow from local leaders and health officials. Awelewa Gabriel, Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area, described the tragedy as a devastating loss to the council and the broader health community. “Our hearts are heavy over this tragedy. These were committed health workers who were returning from a national celebration, only to meet their untimely death on the road,” Gabriel said.
The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, also expressed deep grief over the loss. She highlighted that the deceased were actively involved in the ongoing polio immunisation campaign in the state. “We are deeply saddened by this heartbreaking incident. These were committed officers who contributed immensely to the success of the ongoing polio immunisation exercise, serving their communities with dedication. Their sudden loss is a painful blow to all of us,” Elelu said. She confirmed that the injured are receiving medical treatment in the hospital.
The tragic event has plunged the Medical and Health Workers’ Union, Ekiti Local Government Area, and the Kwara State health sector into mourning. The local government has pledged to work with relevant authorities to support the families of the deceased and assist the injured in their recovery. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the need for greater road safety awareness across Nigeria.
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