By our reporter
The first accident occurred around 9:00 a.m. near the Ozalla/Four-Corner axis. A Howo truck, owned by Visco Investment Global and transporting white cement from Aba to Abuja, was involved in a multi-vehicle crash. According to eyewitnesses, the collision happened when a Toyota Corolla attempted to overtake another truck and collided with the Howo truck. A Foton bus and a Daihatsu Hijet mini-bus, both reportedly driving against traffic, were also caught up in the crash.
The impact caused the truck and the Corolla to catch fire. All five occupants of the Corolla were burned to death, and one passenger in the mini-bus also lost their life at the scene.
Later in the day, at around 3:00 p.m., another accident occurred on the same expressway. A Sino truck belonging to Global Investment, which was allegedly driving against traffic from Garriki, Enugu, toward Nenwe in Aninri Local Government Area, collided head-on with a tricycle. All four occupants of the tricycle sustained critical injuries and were taken to a hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.
The Enugu State Police Command confirmed the total of ten deaths and ten injuries resulting from both crashes. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals.
Police spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, described the incidents as avoidable and ordered a thorough investigation. He also issued a public warning urging all motorists to obey traffic rules, particularly during the Ember Months, a time of year typically associated with increased road activity and higher accident rates.
He emphasized the dangers of reckless driving, including overtaking in unsafe conditions and driving against traffic, and called on all road users to prioritize safety to prevent further loss of life.
