IGP Disu
Panic broke out at the Challenge area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Saturday after a commercial bus with failed brakes crashed into a busy market.
The driver of the 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus reportedly lost control after the vehicle developed brake failure. Witnesses said he repeatedly shouted warnings for motorists and pedestrians to clear the road as he approached the busy intersection.
Officials of the Kwara State Transport Management Agency (KWATMA), who were on duty, quickly responded by directing traffic and clearing the area. The bus eventually crashed through a concrete barricade before coming to a stop after hitting the fence of a shop in the market.
An eyewitness, Rasaq Adio, said: “The driver kept shouting that the brakes had failed while waving for everyone to clear the road. The KWATMA officials immediately understood the situation and began directing people away from the junction.”
Another witness, Tajudeen Alata, credited the swift action of the traffic officials with preventing what could have been a major tragedy at one of Ilorin’s busiest intersections.
“The officials cleared the junction within a short time. If they had not acted quickly, the bus could have rammed into several vehicles and pedestrians because the area was crowded,” he said.
Authorities at the scene confirmed that no life was lost in the incident. Traffic officials and residents later removed the damaged vehicle and cleared the area to restore the free flow of traffic.
