A gas-laden truck collided with a passenger bus on Thursday in Ile-Ife, Osun State, causing both vehicles to plunge into a river.
The incident, which occurred around 12:45 pm at the Old Toll Gate via Sabo-Lagere along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway, left 17 people trapped.
According to eyewitnesses, the gas truck lost control and rammed into the mini-bus carrying 17 commuters.
A joint rescue operation was consequently launched by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Nigeria Police Force to assist the victims.
Kehinde Adeleke, spokesperson for the NSCDC Osun State Command, stated that operatives were “making frantic efforts to evacuate those trapped.”
He added, “Others that were seriously injured were being conveyed to hospital. Efforts are being made as well to tow the wreckage of the vehicle and the truck to the Police Station for further investigation.“
Taofeek Sokunbi, Osun State Commandant of the FRSC, assured that his personnel were coordinating rescue efforts.