By Deborah Nnamdi
Tragedy struck on Wednesday at Sowo Village along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway, as a speeding vehicle ploughed into schoolchildren walking by the roadside, killing four people on the spot.
According to the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), the fatal crash occurred around 3 p.m. and involved a reckless driver who lost control and rammed into the victims. Among the deceased were schoolchildren returning home.
The horrifying incident sparked immediate outrage in the community, with angry youths attempting to lynch the driver. However, he was quickly rescued by security operatives who arrived at the scene to prevent further violence.
TRACE spokesperson Babatunde Akinbiyi confirmed the incident and said emergency measures were promptly activated.
“A tragic accident occurred at Sowo Village, claiming four lives, including schoolchildren. The road was initially blocked by protesters, but law enforcement was swiftly deployed to manage the crisis,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that joint efforts by TRACE, the police, and the Nigerian Army helped restore order, and the expressway has since been reopened to traffic.
Reacting to the tragedy, a local community leader—who spoke anonymously—blamed government negligence for the frequent loss of lives on the highway.
“Our children are dying because of reckless drivers and bad roads. We’ve complained countless times, but nothing has been done. Enough is enough!” he said.
This latest accident adds to a growing number of road fatalities in Ogun State, reigniting calls for improved road infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
