By Osaigbovo Iguobaro Benin
Aggrieved commercial bus drivers, temporarily blocked Siluko road by Oliha market on Tuesday morning in Benin City, Edo state Capital.
This followed a ghastly motor accident that claimed the life of their colleagues simply identified as Victor and three other commuters.
A commercial bus and Toyota Vanette, marked Delta AYB 549 XP, which rammed into a stationary white truck near a traffic light at Siluko juncture by Oliha market in Benin.
The driver of the truck, marked Edo BEN 677 ZN, marked “Chief Vincent Petroleum”, and the victims were said to have died immediately.
It was gathered that the bus driver from the King square, was headed for Siluko axis in Benin when tragedy struck.
He protest however took a frightening dimension when suspected hoodlums hijacked the peaceful protest and allegedly shattered the windscreen and side glasses of the truck.
Commuters and Pedestrians had to trek to their various destinations. One of the drivers, Osamudiamen Ehigiator, who spoke to journalists, accused the government of insensitive for failing to carry out maintenance on the traffic light.
Another driver, Ikpomwonsa Omosefe, said: “This tipper developed fault here since yesterday afternoon. When it rains, we driver hardly see far. I believe the boy thought that the lorry was on motion, that was what led to the accident”.
A store owner on Siluko road, said the truck was stucked at the traffic light by Oliha market at about 6pm as a result of mechanical fault when the bus driver rammed into it.
He blamed the accident on over speeding by the commercial bus driver.
“It was about 6 pm when the tipper stopped at the traffic light. When it was supposed to move, it developed fault, and the driver came out, placed caution signs in the front and the back of the lorry.
“I left for home before the accident, but, seeing the impact of the accident, it is very obvious that the bus driver who was on top speed while the rain was falling, rammed into the stationary lorry,” he said.
Calls made to the Edo Police Command Spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor for comment went unanswered.
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