A car racing contest reportedly organized over a ₦30,000 wager ended in tragedy on Monday afternoon, leaving five people dead in the Ipara area of Remo, Ogun State.
Among the deceased were three young men suspected to be internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys,” and two residents who were bystanders at the scene.
The fatal accident occurred around 2 p.m. when one of the racing vehicles lost control and crashed into a roadside shop.
Eyewitnesses told newsmen that the driver, along with two other occupants of the unregistered Lexus vehicle, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to separate hospitals. However, all three later succumbed to their injuries.
“One of the cars lost control and rammed into a shop, killing two people on the spot,” a community source said. “The occupants of the vehicle were trapped and injured before emergency responders arrived.”
Videos circulating on social media show the aftermath of the crash, with lifeless bodies on the ground and the wrecked vehicle lodged in a damaged building. Sympathizers can be heard wailing in the background, mourning the loss of lives.
Confirming the incident, Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), said the accident occurred at about 1:40 p.m. near the Owolowo area of Ipara Remo.
“The accident involved an unregistered Lexus car whose driver’s name was unknown. He was heading outwards Fidiwo at high speed when he lost control and rammed into two pedestrians – Akeem Ashiru and Shina Badejo – who died instantly,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that the driver also died at the scene, while the two other occupants were taken to Isara State Hospital. One died during treatment, and the other, referred to OASTH Sagamu, passed away on Tuesday.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns over reckless driving and the dangers of illegal street racing, especially among young motorists.
In a separate accident reported the same day, a man was crushed to death by a Volvo truck in Abeokuta after falling off a motorcycle. Akinbiyi confirmed that the truck, which was trailing the motorcycle, ran over the victim’s head after he fell mid-motion.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid dangerous road behavior and report any illegal racing activities to prevent further loss of life.
