The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, confirmed a tragic accident on Sunday evening along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to ten others.
Sector Commander Mrs. Ngozi Ezeoma reported that the crash occurred near Ntigha Junction at approximately 5:02 p.m., with emergency response teams reaching the site within five minutes after being alerted.
Initial findings suggest a burst tyre may have caused the accident. According to Ezeoma, the lone vehicle involved, a green Toyota Hiace bus carrying 16 passengers, was returning from a religious crusade in Enugu. The passengers, mainly members of the Church of Christ, included 15 men and one woman.
Tragically, one male victim died instantly, while another succumbed to injuries at Central Medical Centre, Mbawsi. The remaining ten injured passengers were transported to the Federal Medical Centre for further care.
Commander Ezeoma extended her condolences to the families of the deceased and advised drivers to perform routine checks on their tyres to prevent similar incidents. She reiterated FRSC’s commitment to promoting road safety awareness and ensuring compliance with safety regulations to protect lives on Nigeria’s roads.
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The FRSC confirmed that among the injured, some are in critical condition, raising concerns about the potential for further fatalities as medical teams work tirelessly to stabilize them. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
This accident adds to a growing list of road safety concerns in Nigeria, where accidents are often attributed to factors such as over-speeding, inadequate road maintenance, and lack of enforcement of traffic regulations. Local authorities have called for stricter measures to ensure road safety and prevent future tragedies.
In response to this incident, community leaders are urging drivers to exercise greater caution on the roads. They emphasize the need for public awareness campaigns focused on safe driving practices, especially on busy highways like the Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway.
As investigations continue into the exact cause of this accident, there is a collective hope among residents and officials that lessons will be learned to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The FRSC has pledged to enhance monitoring and enforcement efforts on major roads across the state to improve safety for all road users.
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