Ruth Otabor’s story is one no family should ever have to tell. The 24-year-old graduate was struck by a Dangote truck along the Auchi Road in Edo State on August 12, 2025. She suffered devastating injuries, including the amputation of one leg and severe damage to the other. For weeks, she battled for her life while her family, doctors, and even Dangote officials rallied around her. Despite the medical support she received, Ruth passed away on August 31. Her death is not just another statistic; it is a painful reminder of how dangerous Nigeria’s highways have become and how often ordinary citizens pay the ultimate price.
Heavy-duty trucks are the lifeblood of the economy. They transport cement, fuel, farm produce, and other essential goods across the country. Without them, commerce and industry would grind to a halt. Yet, alongside this usefulness lies a darker reality. For many Nigerians, the sight of these trucks is a source of fear, not reassurance. Too often, they are linked to horrific accidents that change lives forever. Ruth’s story is only one of many tragedies, but it has struck a nerve because it captures a problem that has been ignored for too long: the dangerous mix of weak regulation, corporate negligence, and human error on our roads.
No matter how advanced a vehicle is, it is only as safe as the person controlling it. Fatigue, poor training, and reckless driving are some of the leading causes of road accidents involving trucks. In Nigeria, many drivers are under intense pressure to meet strict delivery timelines, forcing them to drive long hours without rest. Others simply lack proper training or respect for road safety. A truck driver who falls asleep at the wheel or misjudges a corner puts not just himself but dozens of other road users at risk. Ruth’s case is a tragic example of how one moment of carelessness can change everything.
While drivers bear responsibility, companies cannot escape theirs. Many organizations that rely on heavy-duty trucks set policies that are neither fair to workers nor safe for the public. Short deadlines, inadequate rest hours, and lax vehicle maintenance are common. Some companies cut costs by hiring underqualified drivers or neglecting routine inspections. Unlike small cars, trucks require constant attention to detail. A neglected brake system or a worn-out tire on a vehicle weighing several tons can be catastrophic. When companies turn a blind eye to these issues, the public is left to carry the cost.
Nigeria is not without laws to address these problems. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act requires every driver to be properly licensed under Section 23 and every vehicle certified as roadworthy under Section 10. The Corps also has powers to arrest and prosecute offenders who flout traffic rules. Similarly, the Road Traffic Act makes it clear that no person should drive without a valid license as stated in Section 6, and every vehicle must be kept roadworthy at all times as required by Section 3. Beyond these statutes, the principles of negligence and vicarious liability under tort law hold companies responsible for the actions of their employees while on duty. In the case of Ifeanyi-Chukwu (Osondu) Ltd v. Soleh Boneh Ltd [1993] 3 NWLR (Pt. 280) 246, the courts reinforced the duty of employers to ensure that their operations do not cause harm to others. For trucking companies, this means safety policies are not optional extras but legal obligations.
The death of Ruth Otabor exposes what happens when these safeguards fail. Too often, companies react only after lives have been lost, issuing statements of condolence and promises of reform. But accountability is about prevention, not just compensation. Nigerians deserve to know that when a truck is on the road, it has a qualified driver, a roadworthy engine, and a company behind it that values safety over profit.
Ending the cycle of truck-related tragedies requires coordinated action. Companies must take safety seriously by employing only trained and certified drivers, enforcing reasonable work hours to prevent fatigue, conducting regular vehicle inspections, and creating strict internal audits to identify risks before they turn into accidents. Regulators, on the other hand, must enforce laws without fear or favor. Too many unroadworthy trucks slip through checkpoints, and too many unlicensed drivers are allowed on the highways. If the rules already in place were strictly enforced, the number of accidents would drop significantly.
Heavy-duty trucks are indispensable to Nigeria’s economy, but their operation cannot continue in the current haphazard manner. Every accident is a reminder that negligence has real human costs. Ruth Otabor’s death must not fade away as just another headline. It should be the turning point that forces both government and corporations to take meaningful action. Her story is a painful wake-up call and perhaps the push Nigeria needs to rethink how safety, accountability, and human life are valued on our roads. Until real change comes, Ruth’s tragedy will remain one among countless others waiting to happen.
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