By Adejoke Adeleye
Seven female worshippers were on Wednesday burnt to death as the vehicle they were travelling in for a revival programme burst into flames.
The tragedy occurred on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway around 1:45pm.
The worshippers were said to be travelling from the Kosofe area of Lagos State inbound Epe, for a church revival.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesman of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Akinbiyi said an eyewitness revealed that the bus with plate number (AGL 886 YD) arrived Odogbolu junction of Sagamu/Benin Expressway at about 1:45pm inbound Ijebu-Ode with 15 occupants.
He said eyewitness account had it that the the Mazda bus burst into flames suddenly due to engine oil overflow.
Akinbiyi disclosed that the number of passengers in the commercial bus were 15, out of which seven female were burnt to death.
He said the remaining seven were seriously burnt and taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital for treatment, while only the driver was unhurt.
Akinbiyi added that the accidented Mazda bus has been taken to Odogbolu Motor Traffic Division.
He said while TRACE commiserated with the families of the deceased and also wished the injured speedy recovery, motorists were urged to maintain and service their vehicles regularly, in addition to carrying out daily routine check on the vehicle to correct any anomaly before setting out on a journey.
