A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on Friday along the busy Enugu–Abakaliki Federal Highway in Ebonyi State after a commercial passenger bus was involved in a devastating crash that left five people dead and a dozen others injured.
According to reports, the fatal accident occurred around the Edema Bridge area in Nkalagu, located in Ishielu Local Government Area. The vehicle involved, a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus traveling from Abakaliki to Enugu, reportedly lost control, resulting in a horrific crash that shocked residents and road users.
The Ebonyi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Daniel Asanya, confirmed the incident and revealed that the bus was carrying 17 passengers at the time of the accident.
Sadly, among those who lost their lives were four adult males and a young female child, while 12 other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries. The survivors were immediately rushed to Annunciation Hospital in Emene, Enugu State, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Preliminary investigations by FRSC officials pointed to excessive speeding as the major cause of the crash. Authorities believe the driver may have been traveling beyond the safe speed limit before the tragic incident occurred.
Emergency responders also recovered several personal belongings from the crash scene, including mobile phones, bags containing personal items, and food supplies.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited in a morgue, while families and loved ones mourn the painful loss of those who never made it to their destination.
Following the tragedy, road safety officials issued a strong warning to motorists, urging them to exercise greater caution, especially on sections of the Enugu–Abakaliki highway currently undergoing construction and maintenance. They also called on contractors handling road works to install brighter warning signs and safety indicators to help prevent similar disasters.
The incident has once again sparked concerns about reckless driving and the growing number of fatal road accidents on Nigerian highways, with many calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to save lives.
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