On Thursday, October 19, 2023, an accident involving an official vehicle of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and motorcyclists reffered to as Okada occurred in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital.
According to some posts going viral on Facebook, the accident, which occurred at Isale-Oja in Ilorin, was reported to have claimed the lives of four persons, with many others injured.
In one of the facebook posts by Abdulganiy Saad read “What a Black Thursday in Oja-Oba Ilorin, Ina Lilahi wa ina illahi Rojihun”
Kokew Hajji also writing on Facebook said, “Scores of people are stranded as Oke-Kura prison officials cordoned off the prison after a prison vehicle reportedly killed two Okada riders, with several others hospitalised.”
In addition Yinka Hafiz on his Facebook post said, so Sad… The Correctional Service Commission purposefully set up a violent accident at Oja Oba Marketplace in Ilorin Kwara State this morning. because they go the wrong way, kills and seriously injures.
Also, in separate publication by Sahara Reporters, the news outlet claimed that at least three people were feared dead while the Punch Newspaper also reported that four people were left dead as a result of the accident.
THE CLAIM:
Several people died in October 19, 2023 accident involving NcoS vehincle and motocyclists in Ilorin
THE FINDINGS
Findings by FACTCHECK247 show that the claim is FALSE.
In an independent investigation conducted by the Factcheck247 team, supported by an interview with an eyewitness, Gafar Suleiman, there was indeed an accident involving a Nigerian Correctional Service (NcoS) vehicle “formerly known as Nigeria Prison Service” at Isale-Oja, Ilorin. However, it is confirmed that no lives were lost.
Suleiman stated that six individuals sustained injuries and were taken to Kwara State General Hospital and a Cottage Hospital due to the severity of one of the victims.
In addition, the General Secretary of Okada Riders Association, Kwara State Chapter, Azeez Jimoh Alase, also confirmed that no deaths of their members were recorded.
However, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Kwara command of the NocS, Superintendent Adegbulugbe Philip Olumide via Phone Call said those who sustained injuries were taken to the hospital for medical attention and no lives was lost.
The state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FREDRICK OGIDAN, Who confirmed the incident, said no lives were lost in the accident.
Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye via WhatsApp noted that an individual with several injuries was taken to Cottage Hospital. He confirmed that no lives was lost in the accident.
THE VERDICT
Based on the available information gathered from interviews and responses from relevant officials, the Factcheck247 team can confirm that “No lives were lost” in the accident involving the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) official vehicle in Ilorin on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
