Auchi: 3 killed in fatal crash involving Dangote truck

The bustling town of Auchi in Edo State was thrown into grief on Sunday after a horrific accident claimed three lives.

The crash occurred around midday directly in front of the Omega Fire Ministry, leaving the busy area in chaos. According to eyewitnesses, the accident involved two heavy-duty trucks—one owned by Dangote Cement and another yet-to-be-identified truck—as well as a GLK Benz.

Witnesses at the scene described the collision as devastating, with the force of the impact leaving multiple vehicles mangled and sparking panic among residents and churchgoers nearby.

In a viral video captured by a church member, a male voice was heard saying, “We just closed from church. A serious accident just happened in front of Omega Fire Ministry, a Dangote truck crushed about five vehicles in front of the church. They are rescuing others who are still alive. Hold the driver, hold the driver.”

The accident, which involved the two trucks and the GLK Benz, claimed the lives of the three occupants in the Benz.

However, the Senior Pastor and General Overseer of the church, Johnson Suleman, described the incident as an avoidable tragedy, blaming it on the recklessness of poorly trained truck drivers.

He said, “It is an avoidable death. These boys who drive should be called to order. They are not trained, they are overworked, stressed, and some of them are even high on drugs. So, the management of the organisation these boys work for should carry out an assessment because several trucks are working across the country. Trucks of that particular organisation keep claiming the lives of Nigerians.

This organisation should put their acts together. These deaths are avoidable. It is a mess. Three people just lost their lives for the recklessness of some young boys, who, if well checked, might not even have licenses.

I agree that the roads should be fixed. Even if the roads are fixed, there are many people who ply the road. It is not all about the government. We are all government. Giving your truck to untrained drivers — is that the government? Overworking the drivers because you want to meet your target has nothing to do with the government. The government has to do their part, but citizens have to be responsible. This is one mess that should have been avoided.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, said the accident involved two trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement and another yet-to-be-identified truck, as well as a GLK Benz.

He explained that all three occupants of the Benz were evacuated to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead, while the Dangote truck caught fire, which was later brought under control.

“I can confirm to you that three vehicles were involved in an accident in Auchi at midday: two trucks and one GLK Benz. The police moved to the scene and evacuated three occupants of the GLK to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead. Two of the vehicles involved were trucks, one belonging to Dangote Cement and another unidentified. The Dangote truck caught fire and was brought under control,” Yamu said.

He added that the investigation into the accident was ongoing.