OYRTMA Warns As Truck Accident Distrupts Traffic on Mokola Hill

…As Heavy-duty vehicle crashes after losing control on steep route

…As residents advised to comply with safety directives

Millions of naira worth of products belonging to Nigerian Breweries were destroyed on Thursday when a truck conveying the goods suffered a mechanical failure and lost control while ascending the Ori-Oke Mokola hill in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The incident occurred along the busy route linking Mokola with the Cultural Centre axis of the Oyo State capital. A commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke Maruwa, was also damaged in the accident, although no casualty was recorded.

Speaking at the scene, the General Manager of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Commander Ayoade Adeoye, attributed the accident to a mechanical fault that developed while the truck was climbing the steep hill.

According to Adeoye, the vehicle had encountered a similar problem on the same route about five days earlier, prompting intervention by traffic management officials.

“The truck developed a fault while climbing the hill leading to the Cultural Centre, Ori-Oke Mokola. It had experienced a similar problem on this route about five days ago.

While efforts were being made to move it, the vehicle suffered another mechanical failure and lost control together with the goods it was conveying,” he said.

Adeoye disclosed that a substantial quantity of the brewery products was destroyed in the incident, resulting in losses estimated at millions of naira.

Despite the magnitude of the accident, he expressed gratitude that no life was lost.

“To the glory of God, no life was lost. We only recorded damage to a Keke Maruwa, and fortunately, there was no driver or passenger inside the tricycle at the time of the incident,” he added.

The OYRTMA boss noted that the affected road serves as a major commercial corridor and economic hub in Ibadan, making it vital to business activities within the state.

He explained that traffic movement along the route would be temporarily restricted to allow for the evacuation of the truck and clearance of the wreckage.

“The route leads to Ori-Oke Mokola, which is a major business and economic hub in Oyo State. The road will be temporarily blocked while clearance operations continue. We have placed caution tapes around the area and deployed officers to manage traffic and direct road users,” Adeoye stated.

He assured residents and motorists that efforts were underway to restore normal traffic flow as quickly as possible.

“By tomorrow morning, everything should have been removed and normal traffic restored,” he said.
Adeoye also issued a strong warning to operators of heavy-duty vehicles, advising them to avoid the steep Mokola hill route due to the risks involved.

“We advise truck drivers not to use this hill again. It is a very dangerous route for heavy-duty vehicles, and we do not want future incidents that could result in loss of lives,” he warned.

Residents and motorists were urged to cooperate with traffic officials and comply with safety directives while the clearance operation continues.