Olabisi Oyedotun, the sibling of a educator named Adedeji, who lost his life in Meiran, Lagos State, after being struck by a vehicle belonging to the Dangote Group, shares her story with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI regarding the event that caused his untimely demise, the sorrow her family is experiencing, and a larger problem impacting numerous Nigerian households affected by tragic road incidents.
Can you share a bit about yourself and confirm your relationship with the victim?
I am employed by a financial institution based in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State. Regarding my connection to the late individual, he was my biological elder brother. He was the second son in our family, whereas I am the youngest.
What was your sibling's profession prior to their passing?
He worked as an educator, instructing students at a state-run school located in the Meiran region of Lagos State, where the event took place.
Could you share your understanding of events that took place on the day of the occurrence?
Regrettably, I wasn't present. According to what we heard, my brother departed from home that morning as usual, getting ready for work. There was nothing out of the ordinary about that day. He was merely heading somewhere, concentrated on his duties, without realizing it would be his final trip.
He was at the intersection on his route, where he was supposed to board an N200 bus heading to work, when a truck, subsequently recognized by us as a Dangote vehicle, struck him.
What additional details did witnesses provide?
As reported by witnesses, the truck likely experienced a braking malfunction. As the trailer approached, the driver attempted to halt but failed. It was mentioned that there was a gate from a clinic located behind him.
If the gate hadn't been secured, he might have managed to flee, but the gate remained closed. It was there that the truck hit him. He passed away instantly and could not be transported to the hospital.
We were informed of the immense damage caused. Witnesses reported that it occurred abruptly, leaving no opportunity for assistance to reach them. When individuals came together and attempted to take him to the closest medical facility, it was already beyond saving. They mentioned that he passed away immediately at the scene.
What adds to the suffering is that he had done absolutely nothing wrong—he was simply heading to work, striving to provide a legitimate income for his family. In one instant, he was alive, filled with aspirations and duties; in the next, he was suddenly gone. There were no signs, no opportunity to say farewell.
Within our family, we continue to grapple with comprehending how an ordinary day transformed into a life filled with sorrow. It is deeply saddening to realize that his spouse has become a widow, and their young child will come of age without ever knowing his father, all due to an incident that was entirely preventable.
Are you aware of the specific day when this occurred?
It took place on Wednesday, December 17th, in Meiran, Lagos State.
What type of individual was your sibling?
Prior to the incident, my deceased sibling led a calm and dependable existence. He caused no issues, and he relocated nearer to his job to minimize the everyday strain of traveling lengthy distances.
Following his marriage, he leased a residence near the school, within the Meiran district, making it more convenient for him to commute to work each morning.
He is currently married and has a young son who is nearly one year old. The little boy will now have to grow up without his father, an unfortunate situation that deeply affects the entire family.
What was your sibling's age?
He was meant to be thirty-five years of age.
How did the family first learn about the incident?
Certainly, they contacted us. We learned that following the incident, individuals attempted to transport him to a medical facility, yet the entrance was secured. By the time assistance arrived, it was too late; he had passed away. The information devastated the family. It has been extremely difficult. We continue to struggle with understanding all of this.
How is his spouse managing the grief?
Frankly, it has been incredibly tough, and I'm not sure how to completely describe the situation we're facing. His spouse is now staying with my mom, and each day is filled with deep sorrow.
The home remains silent in an agonizing manner, with his missing presence evident in every action we take. Each person is making every effort to provide her emotional, physical, and mental support, yet there are times when the sorrow proves too intense to bear.
She continues to find it difficult to believe that he has genuinely left. Such a loss alters someone permanently, and nobody easily moves past it completely.
What about your parents?
My parents are utterly devastated. This tragedy has profoundly impacted them, which is why they can’t currently address the public or engage in normal discussions. The death of a child is an anguish every parent must never face. It defies the usual flow of life and creates a wound that never fully mends.
This sorrow is particularly difficult since it isn't the first instance our family has faced this kind of devastation. My sister passed away in 2019, and now my brother has also been taken from us. Of the three children, I am now the sole survivor.
Seeing my parents go through this suffering once more has been heartbreaking. The burden of sorrow within our family is unbearable, and it seems as though a piece of us has vanished for good.
What details have the family obtained from witnesses or authorities about the driver?
I wasn't present myself, so I can't confirm precisely what occurred. However, according to information provided, the driver fled following the incident. To date, the driver remains unidentified and hasn't been caught.
What organizations have taken part in examining this issue up until now?
The authorities arrived without delay. Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps were present as well.
Have the relatives communicated with law enforcement authorities?
Certainly. My uncle along with our minister visited the police department. The vehicle was brought to the police station following the event; the driver could not be located.
What have the police said so far?
They continue advising us to wait. They mentioned that we shouldn’t hurry to inter him just yet. He is still at the morgue, not yet buried.
Has anyone from Dangote Group officially reached out to the family?
Not exactly. What we learned came from the police and certain middlemen.
What precisely did they inform you of?
My father mentioned that they stated they intended to offer the family N4.5 million as compensation.
What was the family's reaction to the proposal?
My uncle refused. Everybody declined.
Why?
Initially, nothing could compensate for a loss of human life. Furthermore, there was no sense of fairness. The driver fled the scene. No one has faced arrest. And now you're proposing N4.5 million as settlement? That seemed offensive, and such an offer is absurd.
In addition to the headteacher, how did the school where your sibling was employed react?
The institution expressed worry. They visited our home. They sent a sympathy message. The headmaster praised my sibling greatly. Indeed, the headmaster was emotional. He mentioned it was their final day at school prior to the Christmas holiday. They had been organizing a Christmas celebration. It was meant to be a happy occasion.
Has the event been formally recorded?
Yes, by the police.
At this point, what is the family officially asking for — fairness, financial settlement, or a combination of both?
Everyone, but above all, justice; justice is the most crucial matter.
What is something you long for regarding your sibling?
Everything! He used to check on me often because I’m not really a calling type. He would call and chat with me. I also miss his voice and the way he would tease me whenever he wanted to get something from me.
How would responsibility manifest within your family?
They must take care of it. That's all we're requesting.
Which statement do you wish to convey to organizations tasked with ensuring road security?
Should they manage to convey the message directly to Dangote, it is essential that all drivers receive adequate training prior to operating vehicles on the road. They must have a comprehensive understanding of traffic regulations and the significant responsibilities associated with controlling large machinery. The safety of lives rests upon their decisions, and one error could potentially ruin a whole family’s future.
Businesses should also face responsibility for what their drivers do. It shouldn’t stop at excuses or remaining quiet following tragic incidents. There needs to be rigorous oversight, ongoing education, and meaningful repercussions when carelessness happens.
It must never occur again, for anyone. Today, our family bears this sorrow. Tomorrow, it might be someone else's turn. Nobody should have to get a phone call that alters their life permanently.
Such accidents occur all too frequently. Just this year, numerous comparable incidents have taken place, making them increasingly common. In the past, when I heard about such events, I would feel compassion for those affected and then continue with my life.
I had never thought that someday, our very own family would encounter this situation. Now that it has occurred within our household, the sorrow is overwhelming, and it highlights just how critical it is to take immediate steps before additional lives are lost.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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