Grief has engulfed Nigeria’s Christian community following the death of popular evangelist, Prophet Ayodeji KekereJesu, who perished alongside his fiancée, interpreter Iyanu Joseph, and a devoted church member, Mrs. Opeyemi Matanmi, in a horrific auto crash along the Sagamu expressway on Sunday, April 6, 2025. The devastating incident claimed a total of 22 lives, including four Nigerian soldiers and members of one family.
Eyewitness reports describe the accident as one of the most tragic the Sagamu corridor has seen in recent years. A loaded commercial bus, reportedly heading to Ibadan from Lagos, collided with an oncoming trailer after a tire burst, causing the bus to lose control and somersault multiple times. Most of the victims died on the spot, while others succumbed to injuries before emergency services arrived.
Among those confirmed dead is Evangelist Monjolajesu Oluwapamilerin, whose commitment to grassroots crusades earned him the admiration of many in the southwest region. The loss of these vibrant ministers of God has sparked an outpouring of sorrow across churches and social media platforms, with condolence messages flooding timelines in Yoruba, English, and pidgin.
Authorities from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have confirmed the casualty figure and announced that the deceased have been transported to the mortuary at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu. FRSC spokesperson Florence Okpe stated that preliminary investigations point to brake failure and overspeeding as possible causes.
Four members of the same family were among the fatalities, including a mother and three children, heightening the emotional toll of the tragedy. Members of their church described the family as humble, devout, and always active in worship activities. “This is more than a loss to us—it is a blow to the Kingdom,” a tearful church elder said.
As the Christian community mourns, tributes have poured in from clergy nationwide, including Bishop Isaac Oludele, who described Prophet Ayodeji as “a torchbearer of revival in these end times.” Many remember his fiery sermons and charitable missions that reached prisons, orphanages, and rural communities. “He served until his last breath,” a follower wrote on X.
Calls are mounting for urgent federal attention to the condition of Nigeria’s highways, especially accident-prone zones like the Sagamu axis. Religious leaders and civil society groups are urging the government to install better road signs, enforce stricter safety regulations for commercial drivers, and repair damaged portions of federal roads to avoid further bloodshed.
