Tragedy struck in Odeomu, Ayeedade Local Government Area of State, on Saturday morning when a vehicle conveying three students from the state polytechnic, Iree, collided with a motorcycle, killing the Okada rider, a woman and her two children instantly.
Sunday Tribune gathered that some enraged local residents of the area who witnessed the accident rushed to the scene, capturing two of the occupants of the car.
It was learnt that the third student who was also the driver of the vehicle managed to escape. A motorcyclist was said to have rescued him from his pursuers.
Witnesses told Sunday Tribune that the students pleaded for mercy, claiming the motorcyclist had emerged unexpectedly from the wrong direction.
Investigation revealed that there were attempts by onlookers to intervene and prevent the mob from inflicting bodily injuries on two of the occupants captured after the accident, but the mob’s fury reportedly prevailed, and the two students were set ablaze before they were rescued by law enforcement agents who were drafted to the scene.
It was gathered that the incident which occurred at 6:00 am on Saturday raised tension in the community with residents claiming that they feared reprisal attacks from students of the institution.
An eyewitness who craved anonymity recounted that the victims were returning from a vigil when the accident occurred near Obada Market.
It was disclosed that the vehicle was coming from Osogbo axis of the town while the motorcycle was conveying the victims to Oogi area of the state.
According to the witness, “The vehicle and the motorcycle had a head-on collision killing the Okada rider, one woman, and one of her two children.”
While speaking with Sunday Tribune, the Dean of Students Affairs and Media Relations Officer at the polytechnic, Dr Tope Abiola, sympathised with families of the victims, promising that the institution would look into the matter.
Providing more insight into the incident, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, a police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the four persons died in the accident and that the driver of the vehicle with number plate BDG 481 JD escaped immediately the incident happened.
She, however, said that the captured students were not killed by the mob as they were rescued and have been hospitalised after the police extinguished the fire.
The state governor, Ademola Adeleke expressed his sorrow over the tragic events, calling for a thorough investigation.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed said the governor had called on relevant security agencies to investigate the incident.
He urged residents to remain calm and assured them that the government would ensure justice is served.
