Six people have lost their lives in a road accident which occurred in the Mmuri axis of Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
According to The PUNCH, the accident, which occurred around 1:30 p.m., involved a Metrix147 trailer and a Sienna bus carrying nine passengers. Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as victims trapped under the truck cried for help, enduring excruciating pain before succumbing to their injuries.
In a statement on Monday, the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency confirmed the fatalities. According to ARTSMA spokesperson Nelson Anya, “Six individuals lost their lives instantly, one passenger sustained critical injuries, while two others had varying degrees of injuries.”
Anya noted that ARTSMA officials, led by General Manager Col. Ezichi Kalu (retd.), quickly mobilized rescue equipment, including a crane and towing vans, to assist at the scene. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured a swift recovery,” he added.
President General of the Ebem Ohafia Development Union, Emeka Mba, described the incident as a “black Sunday,” lamenting the lack of adequate emergency response equipment to save lives.
“It’s a devastating day for our community. Many victims were trapped under the truck, and despite our best efforts, we couldn’t find the equipment needed to lift the vehicle. It’s a helpless and ugly situation,” Mba said.
Mba also criticized the poor state of the road, attributing the tragedy to government negligence. “This section of the road is very low and unsuitable for heavy-duty trucks. We’ve repeatedly called on the government to address the issue, but nothing has been done. This could have been avoided,” he stated.
Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ukoha Kalu, said the government acted swiftly to provide the necessary resources to manage the situation and clear the road.
“The Abia State Government deployed cranes and towing vans to rescue victims and ensure the road was reopened to traffic. Our thoughts are with the affected families during this difficult time,” Ukoha said.
ARTSMA emphasized the importance of road safety in its statement, urging drivers to adhere to traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
“This unfortunate incident underscores the need for collective responsibility in maintaining safety on our roads. ARTSMA remains committed to ensuring safer and more efficient roadways across the state,” the agency stated.
