Tragedy struck in Anambra State on Sunday night as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that eight people had lost their lives and six others were injured in a horrific road accident.
The accident occurred along the Nteje-Awka road, near the New Terminal at Ukpo Junction in Dunukofia Local Government Area (LGA).
The crash, which happened around 9 p.m., involved a Mack tanker without a registration number and a Toyota Hiace bus registered as EKP375XM.
According to the FRSC Anambra Sector Command, the bus, which was reportedly travelling from Abakaliki to Onitsha, was speeding and attempted a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre before colliding with the tanker heading towards Awka.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, the Sector Public Education Officer, Margaret Onabe, revealed that four men and four women died in the crash, while the six injured—two men and four women—were quickly rushed to the hospital by the FRSC rescue team from RS5.33 Nteje.
The deceased were taken to Jerusalem Mortuary in Nteje after a doctor confirmed their deaths.
“The bus, which was travelling from Abakaliki to Onitsha, was speeding and overtook dangerously before colliding with the tanker, which was heading towards Awka on a single carriageway,” Onabe said.
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“The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander, has urged drivers to prioritise their safety and that of others by maintaining a safe speed and ensuring that the road is clear before overtaking to prevent such tragic incidents.
Sector Commander Corps Commander Joyce Alexander also visited the scene of the accident, inspected the wrecked vehicles now at Nteje Police Station, and met with officials from the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to discuss road safety concerns.
She later visited the injured victims at Regina Caeli Hospital and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital to assess their condition and offer support.
Commander Alexander stressed that the FRSC remains committed to preventing road crashes by raising awareness, enforcing traffic laws, and working closely with stakeholders to create safer roads for all users.
“The FRSC Anambra Sector Command extends its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured, ” she added.
The command urged all road users to drive responsibly, emphasising that avoiding reckless behaviors like speeding and dangerous overtaking could save many lives.
