Dangote Group Denies Ownership Of Akungba-Akoko Killer Truck

DANGOTE Group has dismissed reports on social media and online platforms linking it to a truck involved in a road accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Council of Ondo State, which claimed the lives of about 10 persons.
The refutal followed video circulation on Wednesday, October 22, showing scene of the accident, with the killer truck bearing the company’s inscription on its body.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Samuel Ibitoye, said the accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. and involved a truck loaded with stone dust and a motorcycle, when the truck was said to have lost control and rammed into a barricade in front of the state-owned university.
Ibitoye said “no fewer than eight people died- five males, two females and one male child.”
On his part, Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Mosadoluwa Ajidagba, claimed the crash was caused by an articulated vehicle coming from Ikare en route Akungba when it suffered a brake failure and hit the permanent barricade erected at the university’s main gate, allegedly crushing 10 people to death, including a pregnant woman.
However, Dangote Group, in a statement on Thursday, October 23, insisted the truck involved in the incident does not belong to it or any of its subsidiaries.
It stated: “Verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB, is owned and operated by an independent logistics company, with no affiliation to Dangote Group.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the truck was not conveying any Dangote products, but was transporting crushed stones in reused sacks bearing various brand names.
“Dangote Industries maintains a strict policy on fleet management and vehicle identification, ensuring that all its trucks are properly branded, tracked, and operated by trained personnel under rigorous safety and compliance standards.
“For clarity, all genuine Dangote trucks carry distinct company markings and fleet numbers, making them easily identifiable.
“While the company deeply sympathises with all those affected by the incident, it urges members of the public and the media to verify information before attributing ownership or involvement to Dangote Group.”
The company also advised media organisations to refrain from using images of Dangote-branded trucks in connection with accidents or incidents unrelated to its operations, adding: “Dangote Industries remains steadfast in its commitment to road safety, regulatory compliance and responsible corporate citizenship across all its operations in Nigeria and beyond.”
Truck bearing Dangote inscriptions have been involved in several road crashes that have claimed many lives.
Eyewitnesses to the latest accident said the truck suffered brake failure while descending from Ikare before ramming into shops near the university.
This has led student leaders of the university to renewed calls for heavy-duty trucks to be banned from passing through Akungba roads, citing repeated accidents and ignored safety warnings.