Chinelo Obiakor
Six persons were killed late on Friday in a fatal collision between a truck and a commercial bus at the Nawfia axis near Enugu-Agidi Junction along the Awka–Onitsha Expressway, Anambra State.
The crash involved a yellow-and-black tipper truck with registration number FGG 21XV and a red 608 bus with registration number XQ 398 AA. It was reportedly caused by excessive speed and reckless driving.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bridget Asekhaumo, said a total of 32 persons were involved in the accident, comprising nine male adults and 23 female adults.
She stated that two male adults and four female adults died, while five female adults sustained varying degrees of injuries. Twenty-one passengers were rescued unhurt.
According to her, all victims were taken to Amaku General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed the six deaths. She added that the obstruction caused by the accident had been cleared and traffic flow restored.
Asekhaumo disclosed that an eyewitness, who was a passenger in the bus, said the vehicle was conveying passengers from Ebonyi State to Onitsha after attending a burial organised by the Catholic Women Organisation. The witness alleged that the bus driver had been driving recklessly and engaging in dangerous overtaking before colliding with the tipper.
Describing the incident as tragic, the sector commander expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and urged motorists to obey traffic rules, avoid aggressive driving and prioritise safety.
The FRSC assured the public of its continued commitment to road safety enforcement, public sensitisation and prompt rescue operations.