Tragedy struck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday, as two passengers lost their lives after a car plunged into a river along the Amuloko area of Ona Ara Local Government Area.
The victims were recovered from the Ariyo River by operatives of the Oyo State Fire Service following an emergency rescue operation.
The incident involved a Toyota Avensis with no identified registration number.
The vehicle was said to have lost control while in motion before veering off the road and plunging into the river.
Confirming the incident on Saturday, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, disclosed that rescue personnel were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call.
According to him, upon arrival, the team discovered that the vehicle had become submerged in the river, prompting an immediate rescue effort.
Akinwande stated that firefighters applied standard rescue procedures and successfully retrieved the bodies of the two occupants from the wreckage.
He added that the remains of the victims were subsequently handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the Ogbere Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and other necessary procedures.
“On getting to the scene, it was confirmed that the vehicle had swerved off the road and submerged in the river.
Our rescue team promptly commenced operations and recovered two casualties from the vehicle,” he said.
The fire service boss noted that the victims were transferred to police officers led by ASP Adesuwa Sesan for further action.
The cause of the accident had yet to be officially determined as of the time of filing this report.