Dangote Group Denies Ownership Of Truck Involved In Ondo Fatal Accident

The Dangote Group has strongly denied ownership of a truck allegedly involved in a fatal accident that occurred in Ore, Ondo State, over the weekend, resulting in multiple casualties and widespread outrage among residents. The company, in a detailed statement released on Wednesday, described reports linking it to the tragedy as false, misleading, and an attempt to malign the reputation of Africa’s largest conglomerate.

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According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred on Sunday along the busy Ore-Benin Expressway when a truck, reportedly carrying cement and marked with the “Dangote” brand, lost control and rammed into several vehicles and roadside traders. The crash left several people dead and many others injured, with shops and stalls destroyed in the ensuing chaos.

Initial reports circulating on social media claimed that the truck belonged to the Dangote Group, sparking outrage and calls for accountability from the company. However, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has come out to debunk these claims, stressing that preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle in question neither belonged to the group nor was it operated by any of its contractors or subsidiaries.

In a statement signed by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Group clarified that the truck had been wrongly branded with the company’s logo by unauthorized individuals. “Our attention has been drawn to reports associating a truck involved in a tragic accident in Ondo State with Dangote Group. After a thorough check of our fleet records, we can categorically state that the said vehicle does not belong to our company,” the statement read.

Mr. Chiejina explained that the Dangote Group maintains a strict transport management system with tracking and monitoring measures to ensure that all its vehicles are properly identified and supervised. He further disclosed that the company’s transport division operates with registered drivers and verified license numbers, making it easy to trace any of its trucks involved in incidents. “We have cross-checked the registration number circulated online, and it does not correspond with any truck in our database,” he added.

He also lamented the growing trend of individuals and independent transporters branding their vehicles with Dangote logos in a bid to attract business or deceive clients. “We have been battling cases of fake Dangote-branded trucks used for illegal operations across the country. We have consistently worked with law enforcement agencies to curb this menace,” Chiejina said.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ezekiel SonAllah, confirmed that several people lost their lives in the crash, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries. According to him, the accident was caused by brake failure and over-speeding. “Our preliminary investigation shows that the truck driver lost control while descending a slope, leading to multiple collisions. Rescue operations were swiftly conducted, and the victims were taken to nearby hospitals,” the FRSC official stated.

He further added that the corps was working with the police to trace the owner of the truck and bring those responsible to justice. “We are investigating the ownership of the truck involved in the crash to ascertain the identity of those behind it. We advise members of the public not to jump to conclusions until our investigation is complete,” SonAllah noted.

Reacting to the incident, some residents of Ore expressed anger over the frequent accidents involving heavy-duty trucks in the area, calling on the government to impose stricter regulations on haulage vehicles. “We have lost too many lives on this road due to reckless driving. Whether it’s Dangote or not, the authorities must take action,” one resident said.

In its concluding remarks, the Dangote Group extended condolences to the families of the victims, emphasizing that it stands for safety, responsibility, and respect for human life. The company reiterated its readiness to cooperate with relevant authorities in ensuring that justice is served. “We sympathize deeply with the victims and their families. While we are not in any way connected to the vehicle involved, we will continue to support efforts aimed at promoting road safety and preventing future occurrences,” the statement concluded.

Over the years, Dangote Industries Limited has built a reputation as a leading corporate organization in Africa with a strong commitment to safety and social responsibility. The company operates one of the largest fleets in Nigeria, transporting cement, sugar, and other commodities across the country. Despite this, it has repeatedly faced incidents where unauthorized individuals brand their vehicles with Dangote logos to carry out illegal activities.

Industry analysts have urged government agencies to strengthen monitoring systems for haulage vehicles and enforce branding regulations to prevent such misrepresentations. They argue that companies like Dangote should not be unfairly blamed for accidents involving impostor trucks.

As investigations into the Ondo accident continue, both the FRSC and the police have assured the public of a transparent process aimed at identifying the true owner of the truck and ensuring justice for the victims. Meanwhile, the Dangote Group maintains that it remains committed to upholding its safety standards and protecting its corporate integrity from any form of abuse.