Police Confirm 10 Dead, 10 Injured In Multiple Crashes On Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway

By Miracle Esegha, Bauchi

Ten people have been confirmed dead and another ten injured following two separate accidents on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway on Wednesday.

Enugu Police Command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the incidents occurred along the Ozalla/Four-Corner axis of the highway.

He noted that the injured victims are receiving treatment in different hospitals.

The first crash happened around 9 a.m. and involved a Howo truck loaded with cement, a Toyota Corolla, a Foton bus, and a Daihatsu Hijet mini-bus.

According to police, the truck collided with the Toyota Corolla while attempting to overtake another vehicle. Both the truck’s head and the car burst into flames, killing five people in the car and one passenger in the mini-bus.

The second accident occurred around 3 p.m. when a Sino truck, also laden with cement, drove against traffic and rammed into a tricycle. Four people in the tricycle later died from their injuries.

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Giwa, expressed sadness over the tragedies and commiserated with the bereaved families.

The statement read, “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.”

Meanwhile, the commissioner also directed the State Motor Traffic Department to carry out a diligent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accidents.

“These crashes are avoidable as drivers need to exercise utmost care, especially during these Ember Months, when road traffic usually increases and possibility of accidents increases too.

“The commissioner reminded motorists that “no journey is worth the loss of lives, adding that drivers should shun recklessness, obey traffic rules and prioritise safety over speed to prevent further tragedies,” Ndukwe added.