I'm Devastated: Sanwo-Olu Reacts to Lagos Truck Accident that Claimed Students' Lives, Shuts School Down

• The governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the two students who died in the truck accident that occurred on Tuesday, December 7
• Sanwo-Olu said the tragic incident has left him devastated and shattered just he prayed to God to comfort the families of the deceased
• The governor added that he has ordered the immediate shut down of the affected school till January 2022

Lagos, Nigeria - Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state has commiserated with the parents, management, staff and students of Ojodu Grammar school over the truck accident which claimed the lives of at least two students and left 12 others injured.

A truck had rammed into the students who were returning home at about 2pm on Tuesday, December 7.

In a statement sighted by Legit.ng on his Facebook page, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the tragic incident left him shattered and devastated.

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He said:

"I commiserate with the parents, management, staff and students of Ojodu Grammar school over this tragic and unfortunate death of our students, whose lives were cut short by a truck driver yesterday.

"The sad incident has left me devastated since yesterday. It is terrible to hear about the death of innocent children, especially in an avoidable circumstance such as what happened yesterday.

"As a parent, words cannot express how shattered I am about the incident. No one's life, including those vibrant students, who were returning from where they had gone to learn for a better future, deserves to be terminated in that manner."

The governor prayed that God will grant parents and families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

He added:

"Our prayers are also with the survivors, who are receiving treatment at the hospital. We are monitoring the situation and will provide the necessary support to ensure their quick recovery."

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School shut down till January

Governor Sanwo-Olu also added that he has immediately ordered that the affected school be shut down till January, while investigations are ongoing.

He noted that the erring driver has also been apprehended and arrested.

Nigerians react

Olajuyigbe Gbenro commented on Facebook:

"Mr. Governor, decide on who is in best position to enable traffic responsibility on Lagos roads. If your decision favors LASTMA, remove VIO from the road while giving out codes of conduct for officials.

"The pressure on the often bad roads from numerous officials is terrifying. Except for revenue generation, VIO has no value addition to resolving the challenges of traffic in Lagos."

David Ben Abah said:

"Death of fellow human is painful, but avoidable one such as this is more painful Mr governor. Series of investigation here and there without any concrete action steps to forestall reoccurrence is exercise in futility.

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"It is good the truck driver has been arrested. He should be brought before a public panel to give account of what actually transpired, that is the only way we can get to the root."

Bolaji Akinbehinje said:

"How many more souls must we lose before the needful is done? Until it gets to your family or friends? The roads are bad, the vehicles are not road worthy..."

Ohireimen Obadan said:

"Indeed it is avoidable but unfortunate incident. I commiserate with Mr. Governor and his team during this grieving moments ..

"It would not be out of place to be sober, reflect and have a sombre festivities during this yuletide season in solidarity with those who are mourning their lost ones. Stronger Together."

FRSC operatives caused Lagos truck accident? Agency reacts

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has denied the alleged involvement of its officers in the cause of the crash.

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There had been speculations that men of the FRSC had a role in the unfortunate incident.

However, the FRSC sector commander in Lagos, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the articulated truck lost control, resulting in the death of “unverified number of students and leaving many injured.” He explained that the men of FRSC were called upon by passersby to help intervene after the crash had happened.

Source: Legit.ng