VAM News Update

Tragedy struck on Monday morning in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, when a big tree fell and killed a woman, injuring 10 others.

The deceased and the injured persons were waiting by the roadside beside Baystar petrol station in the Zango-Kulende area, opposite Oke-Andi junction, Ilorin, to board commercial vehicles to their various destination before the tree fell.

The incident which occurred at about 8 a.m., threw the area into confusion as the woman reportedly died on the spot.

VAM News reports that the tree cut electricity cables and destroyed shops.

Some shop owners in the area and a vulganizer known as Malam Abdulrasheed, escaped death as they were yet to open for business at the time of the incident.

The injured victims were rushed to a private hospital, Olutayo Clinic, behind the Baystar petrol station.

Some of them were treated and discharged, but those in critical conditions were referred to the Government General Hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Oke-Oyi.

Saw millers were engaged to clear the fallen tree and the other.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident.

Okasanmi in a statement said, “A branch of a tree fell off a tree at Sango area this morning, seven persons were affected and were rushed to the hospital, two eventually died and others are still undergoing treatment.

“Investigation on the case is ongoing. Details of the investigation would be made available as soon as it is concluded,” the PPRO said.

It was further gathered that efforts were immediately put in place to ensure the safety of people in the area as saw millers were engaged to clear the fallen tree and the others standing side it.

Kwara state government in a sympathy message said that it had directed that the victims of the accident be taken to the state general hospital for treatment.

A statement by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Mariam El-Imam, and signed by Press Secretary of the Ministry, Gbenga Falade said, “The tragic and fatal incident followed the unprovoked falling of a large branch of a tree on passers-by, shop owners and commuters awaiting the next available vehicle.

“In a swift response to distress calls received from the Oke-Andi (Oke-Adini) community following the unfortunate falling of a major tree branch on unsuspecting members of the community using the base of the tree as stalls and commuters awaiting the next bus, a team of experts were deployed from the state Ministry of Health to provide emergency care to the victims.

“The team of experts led by the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Dr. Stephen Arigidi, was warmly received at the site of the incident by the duo of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam and the Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman; who had arrived earlier at the scene of the incident,” part of the statement read.