Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A celebration of workers’ resilience turned into a nightmare on Friday, 1 May 2026, when three female members of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) lost their lives in a fatal lone accident along the Oke‑Onigbin–Omu‑Aran highway in Kwara State. The seven health workers were returning to Ekiti Local Government Area after attending the annual May Day rally at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin when their commercial bus suffered a burst tyre while travelling at excessive speed, causing the driver to lose control. The crash occurred at about 3:00 p.m., and by the time help arrived, three women had died instantly. The four injured passengers, comprising three men and one woman, were rushed to a hospital in Omu‑Aran for urgent medical attention.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kwara, Kabir Kazeem, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, 2 May 2026. He identified the vehicle as a black Mazda commercial bus with registration number ARP627KY and said that a burst tyre at high speed was the primary cause of the accident. “The driver lost control after one of the tyres burst while the vehicle was speeding, which led to the crash,” Kazeem said. He added that seven people were in the bus – three males and four females – and that three females died on the spot. The FRSC said that rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the scene and evacuated both the injured and the deceased to a hospital in Omu‑Aran.
The Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Council, Hon. Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “Our hearts are heavy. These were dedicated professionals who left their homes to celebrate the dignity of labour, only to meet this unfortunate fate on their way back. We have lost patriots who served our communities with compassion and commitment,” he said. He assured that the local government would work with the state government and other relevant agencies to support the bereaved families and to cover the medical expenses of the injured survivors.
The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, also paid tribute to the fallen health workers. She disclosed that the deceased were among the personnel actively involved in the ongoing polio immunisation campaign in the state, serving their communities with dedication. “We are deeply saddened by this heartbreaking incident. These were committed officers who contributed immensely to the success of the ongoing polio immunisation exercise. Their sudden loss is a painful blow to all of us,” she said. She prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for strength for the bereaved families and colleagues, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
In response to the tragedy, the Kwara State chapter of MHWUN declared a three‑day mourning period. The union directed its members across the state to fly the union’s flag at half‑mast in honour of their deceased colleagues. The local government chairman also reiterated the need for drivers to observe speed limits and for passengers to speak up against reckless driving, a call that echoes the FRSC’s ongoing road safety sensitisation campaigns.
The accident has cast a dark shadow over what should have been a moment of unity and celebration for Nigerian workers. As the injured continue to receive treatment and the families of the deceased prepare to bury their loved ones, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life on Nigeria’s roads.
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