The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has debunked rumours making the rounds that the Ibadan Road Traffic Crash Involving FRSC Staff was because the personnel were in pursuit of a traffic offender.
The Federal Road Safety Corps was reacting to a trending video of the road traffic crash that occurred in Ibadan recently which claimed the lives of a staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Oluyole Unit Command in Ibadan, Oyo state and one other person
In a press statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Corps Commander, Bisi Kazeem stated that the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi had ordered the Oyo State Sector Commander of FRSC to conduct an immediate investigation into the unfortunate incident while also directing the Corps Intelligence Officer to carry out full, discreet and independent investigation into the culpable cause(s) of the incident.
A report was also immediately lodged with the Nigerian Police for their own investigation.
In a statement tagged, “Ibadan Road Traffic Crash Involving FRSC Personnel: The Truth About The Ugly Incident After Investigations”, the Corps Marshal explained that at about midday of Wednesday, 6th November, 2019, around 1100HRS, a team of FRSC Personnel assigned to monitor and control traffic were approached by a truck driver who intended to make an enquiry from one of the members of the team.
READ ALSO: FRSC Begins “Operation Show Your Driver’s Licence” In Lagos
In the course of the inquiry, a Mercedes Benz ran into the patrol vehicle and in the process killed the Marshal attending to the driver of the truck and the other person making inquiry while discussing, with the other FRSC Official occupying the driver’s seat who was also seriously affected by the crash and eventually had one of his legs amputated at the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) Ibadan.
He said information gathered at the scene of the crash and from eye witnesses as well as the Police revealed that contrary to some insinuations in the trending video, the FRSC Patrol vehicle was not in motion when the incident occurred.
“The seriously injured victim was rushed to the hospital for medical attention while the deceased were taken to the morgue.
“It is also of importance to intimate the public that the alleged reckless driver has been taken to court and charged accordingly.
A magistrate court sitting at Iyagakun, Ibadan, Oyo state on Tuesday 13 November, 2019 subsequently remanded the suspect (driver of the Mercedes Benz vehicle) in prison custody till February 8, 2020 when the case would be heard.
The Magistrate who gave the accused some bail conditions which include providing two sureties in the sum of One million naira each, who must be at least level 16 Officers working in reputable organizations and who own landed property in the state.”
According to the statement, the accused having not met the bail conditions, was remanded in prison custody.
He therefore urged the general public not to believe the trending insinuations that the personnel were in pursuit of any traffic offender.
He described the incident as very unfortunate saying it is a sad reality that the job of the Corps is very hazardous in nature.
Boboye who also pleaded with the motoring public to be more cautious while on the highways and to drive defensively, said “The life you save may be yours”.
