Two individuals were fatally struck by a tanker driver in Okoolowo, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, with authorities confirming a manhunt for the fleeing driver.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state disclosed that the driver, operating an unregistered tanker, absconded after the incident, which occurred as the victims attempted to cross the Okoolowo expressway on a motorcycle. One of the deceased, identified as Awolowo, was in his 30s.

When Daily Trust visited the scene around noon, one victim remained on the road, covered with leaves, while others had been rushed to hospital. Two police officers from the Oloje division—a man and a woman—were observed documenting the scene with photographs.

Speaking on the incident, a witness, Yusuf Salaudeen, told our correspondent that the “tanker was on high speed when the motorcycle strayed into its path while attempting to cross the road. The deceased was crushed in the process.

“The other victim had a broken spinal cord as the tanker dragged him until it finally stopped. He was rushed to the hospital, but his survival is highly doubtful,” he added.

The driver of the tanker “immediately got down and escaped. He is nowhere to be found now”, another resident said.

The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Kwara, Muftau Adebayo Irekeola, confirmed the incident over the phone, adding that the two victims died.