Erasmus Ikhide Narrowly Escapes Death in Collision with Dangote Truck
Prominent journalist Erasmus Ikhide survived a harrowing accident on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, when a speeding Dangote cement truck collided with his vehicle on the busy Benin-Sapele Expressway, causing it to somersault three times.
The incident, which eyewitnesses say appeared deliberate as the truck driver fled the scene, has ignited urgent calls for stricter regulation of heavy-duty vehicles and increased police scrutiny, with some speculating the crash may have been a targeted attack.
Ikhide, who emerged from the wreck of his Toyota Saloon car miraculously unharmed, is known for his critical investigative series, “Federal Republic Of Aliko Dangote,” which documents over a dozen fatal accidents involving the company’s trucks. This history has led to allegations that the collision was an attempted assassination meant to silence his reporting.
“This was not just an accident; it was an attempted murder in broad daylight,” a source close to the journalist stated. “The truck sped away without stopping, showing a complete disregard for life.”
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The near-fatal event underscores a deadly pattern on Nigerian roads. Just days earlier, on August 18, a Dangote truck crash claimed three lives. Other recent incidents include a multi-vehicle collision in Ondo State that injured 24 people and a tragedy in Asaba, Delta State, where a runaway truck killed eight traders and passersby.
These repeated accidents have galvanized public outrage. Community leaders and citizens are demanding immediate action from the Edo State Ministry of Transport, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Police.
Key demands include the immediate apprehension and prosecution of the truck driver involved in the August 27 incident, the deployment of a permanent FRSC emergency unit along the Sapele Road corridor, stricter safety enforcement and regulations for all heavy-duty trucks operating in the state, and compensation for the families of victims who have died in similar crashes.
As the often-dangerous “ember months” approach, the public is urging authorities to be more alive to their responsibilities. The community insists that offending drivers must be apprehended and sanctioned to stem the tide of this recurring menace on roads in Benin City and across Nigeria.
By PRNigeria
