The fatal accident that occurred on Sunday at the Mmuri River along the Abam-Ohafia Road in Abia State has resulted in a death toll of eight. The incident involved a trailer carrying chippings, which struck and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 people on board. According to the Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the crash also claimed the life of a woman who was standing by the roadside at the time. Three others were injured and have since been hospitalized, while the bodies of the deceased have been moved to the morgue. The FRSC is continuing its investigation into the incident.
Ezeoma confirmed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding, according to a preliminary investigation. Chief Emeka Mba, the President General of the Ebem Ohafia Development Union, called the day a “black Sunday” due to the tragic loss of life. He expressed concern over the situation, stating that many people remained trapped under the truck. Mba also shared that one of the survivors, a woman with her two children seated in the front of the bus, had survived, but several others were still trapped under the vehicle, highlighting the severity of the accident.
Mba expressed frustration over the lack of emergency response equipment to lift the heavy-duty truck and rescue people trapped underneath, calling the situation “very ugly.” He also criticized the government for neglecting the poor condition of the road, which he claimed contributed to the tragedy. Mba emphasized that heavy-duty trucks should be restricted from using the road until necessary improvements are made.
In response, the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA) provided an update, confirming the collision involved a trailer loaded with chippings and a Sienna bus with nine passengers. The agency, led by Col. Ezichi Kalu, responded quickly to the scene, deploying resources such as a crane and two towing vans to assist in the rescue efforts. ARTSMA also announced that the road was cleared and reopened to traffic and urged motorists to drive cautiously to prevent similar incidents in the future. The agency reiterated its commitment to road safety in Abia State.
