Tragedy struck on Thursday morning as no fewer than 18 travellers were feared dead in a horrific crash on the Umuahia-Enugu axis of the Port Harcourt-Enugu Highway.
The incident, which occurred at a police checkpoint around the Lokpanta area of Abia State in the early hours, has left the community in shock.
Reports indicate that an 18-seater commercial bus, awaiting police clearance at the checkpoint, was struck by a truck whose driver lost control, resulting in the tragic loss of lives of both the driver and passengers.
Eyewitnesses, including Mr. Bananas Okereke, recounted the harrowing scene, with bodies of victims strewn across the accident site hours after the collision. The gravity of the situation was further heightened as protesting bus drivers and motorists blocked the road, demanding justice for the victims and accountability from the authorities.
Okereke lamented, “The road is blocked by protesting bus drivers and other motorists who are asking that the policemen who caused the accident be brought back to the scene.” He added that colleagues of the bus driver and concerned citizens have rallied together, refusing to disperse until Governor Alex Otti visits the scene to address their grievances.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by commuters on Nigeria’s highways and underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and accountability within the transportation sector. As the community mourns the loss of lives, calls for justice and swift action resonate, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that such accidents are thoroughly investigated and preventive measures implemented to avoid future tragedies.
More details to follow…
