Jehovah’s Witnesses have been thrown into mourning following a fatal accident that occurred as Christian Witnesses from Oja Erin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Owode-Ota, travelled enroute their religious gathering – Circuit Assembly as they call it – held in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Seventeen travellers sustained varying degrees of injury in multiple road accidents, which occurred along the Ota-Idiroko Road.

“It was a gory site and the vehicle and some occupants’ body were chartered,” said one witness.

Immediately, the victims were evacuated to the nearby State Hospital at Ota. Twenty-four victims were taken to the hospital for immediate attention.

In the process of treatment five were noticed to be critically injured.

These were taken to Emergency Care Department of the hospital where two eventually died because of the severity of their injuries.

Twelve others critically wounded were taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

Spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Florence Okpe, confirmed that the accident occurred at the Iju bridge segment of the road at about 8.55a.m.

According to the FRSC, 32 people were involved in the crash, 12 male and 20 female adults.

“17 people sustained injuries while the remaining 15 people were unhurt, no life was lost in the multiple crash,” the FRSC said in a statement.

The statement said a total of three vehicles and a tricycle were involved in the multiple accident.

Mrs Okpe disclosed that the suspected cause of the crash was excessive speed on the part of the driver of a Sinotruk.

According to her, the driver tried to negotiate the bend at Iju bridge at a high speed, and in the process lost control before crashing into other vehicles.

Mrs Okpe stated that the injured victims were taken to the Ota General Hospital for medical attention.

One among the Witnesses on ground at the accident scene said: “We are very grateful to the emergency personnel who promptly arrived on the scene to render aid and to the hospital staff who are caring for the injured”.

A woman, a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses who was at the scene when the accident occurred recalls: “I immediately began praying to Jehovah. The real concern and care from fellow brothers in a quickly manner, to me, was a reflection of Jehovah’s love and concern for each of us.”

Another member, an elder who rushed to the scene to comfort the victims observes: “While there is much shock, pain, and trauma, I am encouraged by the positive spirit of the brothers who have been hurt”.

Contacted for a comment, a spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses in Lagos, Mr Odeyemi Afolabi, says: “As a worldwide brotherhood, we pray for the victims’ families – our dear brothers and sisters and all those affected by this terrible tragedy. We find solace and peace in the Bible’s promise of a future without accident, and death.

“We remain determined to keep putting our complete confidence and trust in Jehovah - Psalm 56:3”.

He disclosed that those affected by the accident have continued to receive spiritual and practical assistance from fellow Witnesses, including a visiting speaker to the gathering, and local elders.