Youths protest rise in road crashes in Oyo State

*Block Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road

Youths have barricaded the Ibadan end of the Ijebu-Ode Expressway as they protest over the increase in road accidents, which claimed the lives of corps members and other people in the past few days.

The protesters, who were said to be over 100, took over the expressway, forcing motorists to make detours in search of alternative routes out of the town.

It was gathered that commuters were forced to trek long distances, especially workers at the Oluyole local government secretariat, Idi-Ayunre.

The roundabout that leads to the main gate of the Council headquarter, Idi-Ayunre was blocked while traders were forced to abandon their stores.

Police from Idi Ayunre, Divisional Police Station are on the ground to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

In an interview with our correspondent, the leader of the protesters, Tunde Adegoke, decried the increasing rate of carnage on the expressway, especially at Idi Ayunre.

Blaming the incident on the recklessness of motorists plying the route, especially truck drivers, he said the number of deaths being recorded on the road on daily basis is alarming.

According to him, on Sunday, a villager who was returning from his farm was overrun by a hit-and-run driver.

Also, a few days ago a similar incident happened some metres away from where no fewer than five people lost their lives.

A youth corps member and one Mr Adedeji were killed by reckless truck drivers along this road last month.

“Irked by this development, we, the youths from Oluyole local government and sympathisers from the other 33 local government areas across the state decide to embark on a peaceful protest to press home our demands for the erection of speed breakers along the expressway.

“We have many companies with the operational base along this axis. They should come to our aid with the erection of speed breakers.

“The Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) should enforce the installation of speed limits device on vehicles plying the route

“We are tired of losing our promising youths daily to road mishaps.

“The protest and blockade of the road will continue until our demand is met.”