Tragedy at Oje Eleso Market: Hon. Akintayo Visits Victims, Urges Traders to Prioritize Safety
The Executive Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Hon. Ibrahim Akintayo, popularly known as “O MU YES,” has paid a condolence visit to traders and families affected by the tragic trailer accident that occurred on Tuesday at Oje Eleso Market.
During the visit, Hon. Akintayo expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families and those injured in the unfortunate incident. He described the tragedy as painful and avoidable, stressing the need for stricter adherence to safety measures within market environments, particularly those situated along major highways.
The Chairman urged traders operating close to the roadside to step back from the highway to prevent future occurrences. He emphasized that human life must always take precedence over commercial activities.
Hon. Akintayo also highlighted his administration’s swift response to the incident, noting that immediate action was taken to ensure that victims received prompt medical attention. According to him, despite being engaged in a crucial meeting at the time the news broke, he promptly mobilized relevant authorities to the scene to manage the situation effectively.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of our people. As soon as I received the distress call, necessary steps were taken to ensure victims were attended to without delay,” he stated.
Responding on behalf of the traders, a fruit seller at the market expressed gratitude to the Chairman for his proactive leadership and the care extended to the victims. The trader also acknowledged the role of the local government’s environmental task force, whose prior enforcement had compelled many traders to vacate the roadside, thereby reducing the scale of the disaster.
“The enforcement by the environmental sector of the local government has really helped us. Many traders had already moved away from the highway before the accident occurred, and this saved lives,” the trader noted.
Also speaking, the Deputy Market Leader, on behalf of the Babaloja of Eleso Market, commended Hon. Akintayo’s administration for its consistent support and responsiveness to the needs of the market community. He assured the local government of the traders’ continued cooperation, particularly in adhering to safety regulations aimed at preventing future tragedies.
The visit underscores the local government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining order within market spaces, especially those located along busy transport corridors.