One Company, Multiple Crashes: Beyond Phyna’s Sister, Dangote Trucks Claim Over 20 Lives in One Year
This incident has brought home the recall of similar tragedies that trucks linked to Dangote Group have caused in Nigerian territories.
The latest unfortunate incident involving one of the trucks of Dangote Group and Ruth Otabor, a sister of reality TV star Phyna, has left a trail of death and destruction in the hearts of many Nigerians, raising concerns, indignation, and a pressing call for responsibility.
Ruth, who had her leg amputated after being struck near Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, on 13–14 August 2025, was confirmed dead on Sunday, 31 August 2025, despite the company’s pledge to underwrite her care and arrange overseas treatment.
Despite this, Otabor’s family announced her death on Monday, leaving the bereaved and fans in mourning.
This incident has brought home the recall of similar tragedies that trucks linked to Dangote Group have caused in Nigerian territories. Particularly, between January and August 2025, multiple fatal and serious crashes involving Dangote-linked trucks were recorded across several states, adding to earlier episodes after August 2025.
In January, a 27-year-old okada rider, Samuel Nmekini, was crushed to death by a truck reported to be linked to Dangote at Malali/Malina Bus Stop along the East-West Road in Emohua LGA, Rivers State, drawing condemnation from community leaders.
In March near Abuja, a Dangote cement trailer lost control by the Abuja–Keffi corridor (Karu/Nyanya axis), collided with stationary vehicles, and ignited an inferno that burned 14–16 vehicles; authorities confirmed at least six deaths as emergency crews fought thick smoke and extreme heat.
In May, along the Kugbo–Nyanya Road in Abuja, police said a Dangote-owned truck (reg. KPF-305-XA) suffered brake failure and hit a dispatch rider and a J5 bus; contrary to early rumours, there were no fatalities, while three persons were seriously injured.
In July, a tragic crash near the NYSC Orientation Camp along the Wannune–Gboko Road in Tarka LGA, Benue State, involved a Dangote cement truck and a Toyota Sienna. Multiple outlets reported several fatalities, though officials had yet to release an authoritative toll at the time; images and eyewitness accounts from the scene were harrowing.
In August, two separate incidents dominated headlines. In Auchi, Edo State, directly opposite the Omega Fire Ministries headquarters, three occupants of a Mercedes-Benz GLK died when two trucks (one Dangote-branded) and the car collided; police confirmed the toll.
That same month in Asaba, Delta State, reports from local outlets and on-the-ground sources stated that a Dangote truck lost control near Oko Market and ploughed into traders and pedestrians, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens.
To place the pattern in fuller context, notable incidents after August 2024 included a non-fatal October 2024 crash in Imasayi, Ogun State, where a Dangote cement truck rammed into an apartment at night (no deaths reported), and the 11 November 2024 Epe, Lagos crash, confirmed by LASTMA, where a Dangote truck’s brake failure at Ayetoro Market killed three people.
However, Dangote Group has sent condolences to families of victims and promised to cover medical expenses and provide support; in some cases, the company has also publicly disputed responsibility where evidence suggested third-party triggers, for example, reports after the Auchi (Edo) multi-vehicle crash referenced competing claims about causation even as authorities confirmed the GLK deaths.
The recurrence and severity of these incidents have evoked emotions and questions about the company’s commitment to safety and accountability. As the nation mourns many lost lives, stakeholders must demand improved safety measures and stricter regulations to prevent future tragedies.
Some experts have suggested that the Dangote Group should prioritise driver training, vehicle maintenance, and safety protocols to reduce risk. Others have called for the Federal Government to enforce tighter standards and oversight on haulage operations across federal and state corridors.
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have also engaged Dangote Group, urging responsibility and verifiable safety measures.
In response, Dangote Group has said it remains committed to road safety and public well-being, promising to investigate causes and implement preventive steps, commitments that will be judged, ultimately, by measurable outcomes on Nigerian roads.
Read Also: Dangote Drugged My Wife, Got Her Raped, Businessman Tells U.S. Court
Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.