Auchi Crash: "Dangote is Not Responsible," New Report Presents Alleged Cause
- A new report by the Coalition of Edo Civil Society Organisations cleared Dangote of blame in the Auchi crash, aligning with police findings
- Investigations revealed a different cement truck lost control on a slope due to suspected brake failure, colliding with other vehicles and the Dangote truck
- CECSO condemned false blame on Dangote as “malicious” and urged stricter haulage regulations to prevent future tragedies
The Coalition of Edo Civil Society Organisations (CECSO) has absolved Dangote Cement of responsibility in the recent tragic accident along the Auchi–Okpella–Okene road, near the Omega Fire Ministry in Auchi, Edo state.
In a detailed report released on Tuesday, August 19, CECSO insisted that, contrary to online claims, the Dangote Cement CNG truck was not responsible for the crash, which claimed several lives.
Source: Getty Images
The group’s president, Comrade James Osahon, said independent findings aligned with police investigations showing that the accident was caused by a third-party cement truck that lost control.
Group's investigations point to brake failure
“After a careful on-the-ground investigation, which included visits to the accident scene and consultations with security personnel, we can authoritatively confirm that the accident was not caused by the Dangote Cement CNG truck,” Osahon stated.
“The evidence overwhelmingly shows that a third-party truck, loaded with cement, lost control on a slope due to suspected brake failure and rammed into other vehicles before colliding with the Dangote truck,” he explained.
According to CECSO, the Dangote truck became an “unfortunate victim of circumstance” after it was struck on the side, leading to a fire outbreak, Daily Independent reported.
Police confirm third-party involvement
The coalition backed its findings with the Edo State Police Command’s official account. Police spokesperson CSP Moses Yamu confirmed that three vehicles, two trucks and a Mercedes-Benz GLK, were involved in the crash.
He said all three occupants of the GLK died after being rushed to hospital, while the Dangote truck that caught fire was later extinguished.
Group condemns rush to blame Dangote over crash
Source: Getty Images
CECSO condemned the rush to blame Dangote, calling it “malicious and mischievous.”
“This smear campaign is nothing but a hatchet job. Some shadowy interests are uncomfortable with Dangote Cement’s growing strides, particularly the deployment of safer, cleaner CNG trucks on Nigerian roads,” Osahon alleged.
He argued that the attempt to “drag the name of Dangote through the mud” disrespected the deceased and diverted attention from systemic road safety challenges, Vanguard reported.
Call for stronger road safety reforms
The group commiserated with the families of the victims and urged authorities to fast-track reforms to improve haulage vehicle standards.
“We must not allow reckless narratives to overshadow the core issues of road safety, vehicle maintenance, and stronger regulation of third-party transport operators.
“What happened in Auchi is tragic, but blaming the wrong party will not bring back the lives lost or prevent future accidents," CECSO declared.
Commitment to accountability
Reaffirming its stand, CECSO vowed to monitor the case to ensure justice for victims and accurate information for the public.
“We stand with the truth, and the truth is simple: Dangote Cement did not cause this accident. Any report suggesting otherwise is false, misleading, and driven by ulterior motives,” Osahon concluded.
Newlyweds die in Katsina accident
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a devastating road accident claimed the lives of a newly married couple and three others in the Abattoir community of Katsina metropolis.
The tragic incident occurred along the Kurfi-Katsina road, cutting short the lives of five people.
The deceased, 37-year-old Abdulsalami Yusuf Kankara and his wife, Malama Zainab, were returning from Kurfi LGA, where they had gone to console another couple who suffered a mlscarriage.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
