Bus crashes into market in Kwara

Panic gripped traders and motorists at the busy Challenge Market in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday after a commercial bus reportedly lost its brakes and crashed into a shop. The 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus veered off the road after the driver lost control, smashing through a concrete barricade before coming to a halt inside the market.

Eyewitnesses reported that the driver repeatedly shouted for help and waved frantically to alert road users and traffic management authority operatives stationed at the junction. "The driver kept shouting that the brakes had failed while waving to everyone to clear the road," said eyewitness Rasaq Adio. "The KWARTMA officials quickly understood what was happening and immediately began directing people away from the junction."

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The driver kept shouting that the brakes had failed while waving to everyone to clear the road. The KWARTMA officials quickly understood what was happening and immediately began directing people away from the junction.

Another eyewitness, Tajudeen Alata, stated that the traffic officials' prompt intervention prevented a potentially devastating accident at one of Ilorin’s busiest intersections. "The officials cleared the junction within a short time. If they had not acted quickly, the bus would have rammed into several vehicles and pedestrians because the place was crowded," Alata said. Authorities confirmed no lives were lost, and efforts commenced to remove the wreckage and restore traffic flow.

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The officials cleared the junction within a short time. If they had not acted quickly, the bus would have rammed into several vehicles and pedestrians because the place was crowded.