Four operatives of the Anambra State Special Anti-Tout Squad lost their lives, and one other sustained injuries after their patrol vehicle collided with a tipper truck in the state.
Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred during the operatives’ routine stop-and-search operation when their branded Toyota Hiace bus, carrying about eight persons, crashed into the truck as it emerged from a junction.
One witness, who identified herself simply as Chinwe, recounted the incident, saying, “The branded Toyota vehicle had about eight young men as the occupants and was running at full speed before ramming into the tipper fully loaded with sand.
“After the accident happened, the occupants of the vehicle were trapped, and passers-by were the ones bringing out their bodies. More than four lifeless bodies littered the road, while those injured were rushed to the hospital.
“The incident has caused panic on the road as motorists and residents battled in the traffic caused by the situation. The incident happened this morning (Friday).”
Confirming the accident, the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Margaret Onabe, attributed the crash to a possible route violation, leading to a head-on collision.
She stated that five male adults were involved in the crash, with four fatalities and one survivor.
Onabe also noted that the rescue operation was initially disrupted by local youths from the Oba community, who alleged that certain individuals were responsible for the crash and demanded their presence before allowing any rescue efforts.
“The FRSC rescue team was initially hindered in performing their duties due to an attack by local youths who claimed the crash was caused by certain people and insisted on representatives of those people before any rescue could be done. The team had no option but to leave but returned after the police and other armed agencies arrived,” she said.