A fatal road accident along the Abeokuta-Ibadan highway, near Ajobo village in Ogun State, has claimed the life of one person and left six others severely injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at around 2:30 pm, involving two vehicles: a Lexus ES 350 and a Zafira 1.8 Space Wagon.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident was caused by reckless driving. Abiodun Michael, the 26-year-old driver of the Lexus ES 350, was traveling from Ibadan to Abeokuta. As he approached a sharp bend along the highway, it was reported that he failed to slow down in time and lost control of the vehicle. The Lexus veered off its lane and collided head-on with the Zafira car, which was driven by 55-year-old Popoola Kayode, heading in the opposite direction from Abeokuta.
Tragically, Kayode, the driver of the Zafira, died instantly at the scene of the crash. His six passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, with some being critically injured. The police responded promptly to the distress call, with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Odeda Division quickly dispatching a team of motor traffic police and patrol officers to the scene to provide immediate assistance.
The victims, some of whom had fractures and other serious injuries, were quickly transported to the General Hospital in Odeda for urgent medical care. Due to the severity of some injuries, those requiring specialized treatment were transferred to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.
In an official statement issued to the press, the police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the tragic loss of life and injuries sustained in the accident. She reported that the driver of the Lexus and his passengers had fled the scene immediately after the crash. This prompted a full investigation by the police to track down the responsible individuals.
“The Ogun State Police Command is thoroughly investigating the fatal motor accident that occurred on February 4, 2025, at about 14:30 hours along the Abeokuta/Ibadan highway, near Ajobo village,” Odutola said. She further confirmed that Abiodun Michael, the driver of the Lexus, is a 26-year-old resident of Isolu, Funaab Road, Abeokuta, while Popoola Kayode, the deceased, was a 55-year-old resident of Olodo via Odeda.
The police spokesperson added that the body of the deceased driver, Popoola Kayode, had been retrieved by his family for burial in accordance with Islamic customs and rites.
The police have vowed to ensure that the driver of the Lexus, who remains at large, is apprehended and brought to justice. Odutola reiterated the police’s commitment to enforcing road safety regulations and holding reckless drivers accountable for their actions. She urged any individuals with relevant information regarding the whereabouts of the fleeing driver or witnesses to the accident to come forward and assist the authorities in the ongoing investigation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving, particularly on busy highways, and the importance of adhering to traffic laws to prevent such devastating consequences. The Ogun State Police have emphasized their ongoing efforts to clamp down on road traffic offenses and are calling for more public cooperation in ensuring safer roads across the state.
The tragic accident has also raised concerns about the safety of the Abeokuta-Ibadan highway, which is a major route connecting Ogun State with neighboring Oyo State. Local authorities and road safety agencies are under increasing pressure to address road safety issues and enforce stricter regulations to protect commuters.