One dead, six injured in fatal auto crash on Abeokuta-Ibadan highway

A fatal motor accident along the Abeokuta-Ibadan highway near Ajobo village claimed the life of one person and left six others injured on Sunday, February 4, 2025.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement signed by its spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, stating that the accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. and involved a Lexus ES 350 and a Zafira 1.8 Space Wagon.
According to eyewitness reports, reckless driving by the Lexus driver, identified as 26-year-old Abiodun Michael of Isolu, Funaab Road, Abeokuta, was responsible for the crash. Michael, who was traveling toward Abeokuta from Ibadan, allegedly failed to slow down while negotiating a sharp bend, lost control, and veered into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with the Zafira vehicle.
The impact of the crash was severe, leading to the immediate death of the Zafira driver, 55-year-old Popoola Ishola Kayode of Olodo via Odeda. Six passengers in his vehicle sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Upon receiving the report, officers from the Odeda Police Division swiftly responded, deploying traffic and patrol teams to the accident scene. Emergency measures included:
- Medical Assistance: The injured victims were transported to the General Hospital, Odeda, for immediate medical attention. Those with fractures were later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, for specialized treatment.
- Burial of the Deceased: The family of the late Mr. Kayode retrieved his body for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
- Vehicle Recovery: The wrecked vehicles were towed to the police station for safekeeping and forensic inspection.
- Suspect at Large: The driver of the Lexus ES 350 and his passengers fled the scene. A police manhunt is underway to locate and apprehend the suspect.
The Ogun State Police Command has urged members of the public with relevant information on the whereabouts of the fleeing driver to assist in the investigation.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to road safety enforcement and vowed to ensure that reckless drivers are held accountable for their actions.