Tears flowed freely on Monday afternoon as the remains of four students of the Federal Government Girls College, Oyo were committed to mother earth.
The four students lost their lives in an accident that occurred at the Sabo market along the FGGC road, few kilometres to their school.
Five other students, who escaped death, were seriously injured and are receiving treating at two private hospitals in the town.
Two of the deceased students were in the final class, preparing for the next senior school certificate examination organised by the West African Examination Council.
The deceased students, John Olubukola, SS3; Giwa Taibat SS3; Ladipo Mojisola, SS1; and Ibirogba Mariam, JSS 3 were said to be returning to school on Sunday afternoon, after a mid-term break given by the school last week Wednesday
Explaining how the accident occurred, the College Public Relations Officer, Mr. Akin Omitade, who spoke on behalf of the management, said the accident occurred when a truck carrying loads of garri lost its balance while trying to navigate through the busy market where traders displayed their wares by the roadside, thereby falling sideways with all its content on the suzuki minibus conveying the students to school.
The driver and the four students were said to have died instantly.
The PRO urged government to repair the narrow part of the road and called on market leaders to ensure that traders were banned from displaying their wares on the road, as that often compounds the traffic situation of the dilapidated road.
Giving his account of the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu informed The Point that, “A DAF truck loaded with garri fell on a Suzuki commercial mini bus conveying students of the Federal Government College, Oyo.
“As a result, four of the students and the bus driver died while five others were injured and were taken to Peamark Hospital, Oyo for medical treatment. They are responding to treatment and investigation has since commenced.”
Ajisebutu further informed that the erring driver of the truck had been arrested for further investigation.
According to Omitade, the deceased students were trapped at the back seat of the bus, a situation which denied them access to rescue operation as people around could not get a towing vehicle to lift the truck on time.
He however noted that the school management had first contacted the affected student’s parents and families, sought their permission as well as police report before their remains were laid to rest, Monday afternoon.
When The Point visited the school, academic activities were observed to have been suspended following the massive turnout of parents, members of the community and other sympathisers who besieged the school to pay condolence visit.
While the remains of the Christian students were interred at the Christian Association of Nigeria burial ground, those of the Muslims were interred at the Muslim burial ground, both located at Jobele, Akinmoorin area of Oyo town.
The market was also under lock and keys when visited, in honour of the deceased students.
