A late-night car race reportedly organized over a ₦30,000 cash bet has ended in tragedy, leaving five people dead in the Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.
According to eyewitnesses, the deadly incident occurred on Tuesday when two drivers engaged in an impromptu high-speed race along Sagamu-Benin Road. The race, which allegedly began as a bet between local youths, spiraled out of control when one of the vehicles lost balance and collided with oncoming traffic.
The impact was fatal. Local authorities confirmed that five individuals, including two pedestrians, were killed instantly, while several others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, describing it as “reckless and avoidable.” She noted that investigations are ongoing and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“This tragic event underscores the danger of illegal car racing on public roads. We urge parents and community leaders to discourage such risky behavior,” Odutola said.
Residents of the area expressed outrage and grief over the incident, calling for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and more youth engagement programs to curb street racing and other forms of social delinquency.
This is not the first time Ogun State has witnessed such a fatal incident tied to illegal racing. Authorities are now under pressure to take firmer action against the rising trend of high-speed street competitions among youths in the region.
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