No fewer than 20 people were crushed to death in Iworoko Ado-Ekiti yesterday when the trailer conveying Senator Tayo Alasoadura’s branded bags of rice rammed into the community’s market.
Report had it that the remains of the victims have been deposited in mortuary while many who were injured are receiving treatment.
According to the reports, the trailer with full load of customized bags of rice with the picture, name and logo of a senatorial candidate in Ondo state, Senator Tayo Alasoadura crushed two vehicles before it rammed into some shops due to alleged brake failure.
In his condolence message, Alasoadura sympathised with the relatives of the accident victims, explaining that the said rice was meant to be distributed to his constituency members as Christmas gift but was delayed.
In the statement which was made public by his media aide, Dayo Joseph,Alasoadura commiserated with the people of the area over the accidents, claiming that the said rice was purchased from a Rice Mill in Kebbi State to patronize and encourage our local production of rice.
“Our prayers are with the victims and I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed ones and the fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss while I also wish the injured ones quick recovery and return to their normal activities”. The statement read.
Meanwhile, the speaker of the Ekiti state House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adeniran Alagbada has expressed shock and sadness over the ghastly accident which claimed several lives and left multiple persons injured at Iworoko market.
In a statement issued by Alagbada through his Special Adviser on media, Toyin Babalola, the Speaker described it as a huge loss and damage to the Ekiti people at a time when most of them never had premonitions of their death.
“I have received with huge shock, the report of the death of several persons and others injured in an accident involving a large truck. It is distasteful and an unpleasant news at this time”.
He expressed his condolences to the family of the bereaved and prayed that God grant them the fortitude to come to terms with the loss.
Rt Hon. Alagbada also wished those injured, safe and quick recovery while assuring that he would engage the state executive to provide necessary support to aid their treatment and recovery.
While thanking men of the Ekiti state transport, management agency, the police and other stakeholders for their response to the accident, he noted that measures must be put in place to prevent a reoccurrence of such tragedy.
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