A journalist, Comrade Erasmus Ikhide, narrowly escaped death in a road traffic accident involving a Dangote cement truck on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, on the Benin-Sapele Expressway in Benin City.
The truck, reportedly travelling at high speed, collided with Ikhide’s Toyota Salon car, causing it to somersault three times.
Fortunately, Ikhide escaped unhurt.
*Calls for Stricter Regulations*
The incident has sparked renewed concerns about road safety and the regulation of heavy-duty trucks plying the Benin City metropolis.
Members of the public are urging the authorities to take proactive steps to prevent such accidents and ensure accountability.
The community demands compensation for victims’ families and the deployment of a permanent FRSC emergency unit in Sapele Road to curb similar incidents.
*Recent Similar Incidents*
This is not the first incident involving Dangote trucks.
Recent reports include:- A Dangote truck crashing into a Mercedes-Benz, killing three people and injuring one on August 18, 2025; a Dangote Cement truck crashing into five vehicles and a motorcycle, leaving 24 people injured at Odukpani Junction in Ondo State; and, a Dangote truck losing control and ramming into traders and passersby, killing at least eight people and injuring many others in Asaba, Delta State.
*Journalist’s previous reports*
Ikhide has written over 12 series on fatal road traffic accidents caused by Dangote’s trucks, entitled “Federal Republic Of Aliko Dangote”.
The allegations that the journalist might have been targeted for assassination for his outspokenness are worrisome.
*Authorities’ Response*
As the “ember months” approach, the Edo State Ministry of Transport, Federal Road Safety Commission, and Nigerian Police Edo State Command should be more vigilant in their responsibilities.
Offending truck drivers should be apprehended and sanctioned to stem the tide of this menace on the roads of Benin City and other metropolises within Edo State and the country.
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