Ten persons lost their lives on Wednesday in two separate fatal road accidents that occurred along the Ozalla/4-Corner axis of the dual-carriage Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway in Enugu State.
These incidents were confirmed by the State Police Command, revealing that ten persons were hospitalised from the two incidents.
A statement by the spokesman of the Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said the first incident, a multiple-vehicle crash, happened at about 9 a.m. on the Enugu inward-bound lane.
Ndukwe explained that a Howo truck with Visco Investment Global inscription and laden with bags of white cement, was on its way to Abuja from Aba, Abia State, when it collided with a Toyota Corolla car that was attempting to overtake another truck on the same route.
He added that the Foton bus and a Daihatsu Hijet mini bus, both driving one-way, were also caught in the collision.
The police image maker stressed that the truck head and the Toyota Corolla car went up in flames, with five occupants of the car burning to death.
A passenger in the mini bus was equally confirmed dead by medical doctor attending to the victims.
“Similarly, at about 3 p.m. on the same road, another fatal crash occurred. This time, it involved a Sino truck belonging to Global Investment and a tricycle.
“The truck, laden with cement and driving one-way from Garriki Enugu to Nenwe in Aninri LGA, on the same Enugu inward-bound lane, rammed into the tricycle, leading to the death of its four occupants. They were rushed to the hospital but later confirmed dead.
“Ten other persons, injured in the separate crashes, are currently receiving medical attention,” Ndukwe said.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa mourned the tragic loss of lives and commiserated the families of the deceased.
CP Giwa also directed the State Motor Traffic Department to carry out diligent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accidents.
He described the crashes as avoidable and strongly cautioned drivers to exercise utmost care, especially during these “Ember Months,” when road traffic usually increases and accidents are more frequent.
The CP reminded motorists that no journey is worth the loss of lives, urging them to shun recklessness, obey traffic rules, and prioritise safety over speed to prevent further tragedies.
