Metro

Many Feared Dead In Anambra Road Crash

Published

1 year ago

June 2, 2024

A yet-to-be-specified number of people lost their lives when a trailer lost control and crushed two tricycles at Oba along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fatal crash occurred at about 9 am and the victims were said to be on their way to attend a church service when the accident occurred.

Sources at the scene said the driver of the heavy-duty truck failed brakes, lost control and while trying to control the vehicle, eventually rammed into the two fully loaded tricycles, thereby pushing it and some of the occupants into a ditch.

Some of the victims were said to be run over by the truck as some victims were stick stuck by the tyres.

An eyewitness at the scene who simply gave her name as Amaka, said, “The accident occurred this morning as the revenue collectors stopped the tricycles for money, while this was going on, the oncoming truck which had already failed brakes rammed into the two tricycles, thereby pushed them into a nearby ditch.

“While some of the victims fell into the ditch, others were run over by the truck. It was a terrible sight to behold. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to attend to the injured and retrieved the bodies of the victims. As of now, five individuals have been confirmed dead, while the search for any other potential casualties is ongoing.”

This was also corroborated by some gory videos already trending online showing some of the bodies of the victims littering the road, where a voice noted that the tricycles were hit in quick succession because they were driving close to each other.

As of the time of filing this report, a crowd had subsequently besieged the scene and gridlock took over the ever-busy road as people rushed to the accident scene while the affected vehicles were blocking a major part of the road.

Local authorities were seen investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and are working to determine the exact cause of the brake failure and the actions of the tax collectors that may have contributed to the tragic incident.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra State, Adeoye Irelewuyi in a short statement, confirmed the accident.

He said, “Yes, there was a road traffic crash at Oba along the Onitsha -Owerri expressway earlier today. Details of the crash are still being gathered. Some youths in the town and others are allegedly protesting over the incident.”

Metro

Five Injured As Tanker, Bus Collide In Lagos

Published

2 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

At least five persons were injured in a traffic accident involving a fuel tanker and a commercial bus at Toyota Bus Stop, inward Oshodi in Lagos State.

According to a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on Friday, the incident occurred on Thursday, near The Guardian newspaper headquarters and involved a PMS-laden tanker with registration number T28128LA and a commercial Volkswagen T4 bus, GGE 526 YG.

The statement which was signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, noted that preliminary findings from Oloto Police Division indicated that the tanker experienced a sudden brake failure while on top speed and rammed into the moving bus, which was fully loaded with passengers.

LASTMA said its officers “executed an urgent, precise and seamlessly coordinated rescue operation” at the scene, rescuing five persons, three females and two males, including the bus driver.

“Acting with commendable precision, the rescue team secured the accident scene, extracted the injured, and mitigated the risk of secondary hazards,” the agency said.

While one of the victims was taken to a nearby hospital by a good samaritan, the Lagos State Ambulance Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit conveyed the others to hospitals for emergency care.

Bakare-Oki, extended “profound sympathy to the victims” and expressed “heartfelt wishes for their full and speedy recovery.”

He blamed the accident on “brazen disregard for statutory speed limits, which are conspicuously signposted along Lagos highways,” stressing that proper speed regulation and vehicle maintenance could have prevented the crash.

He said, “Operators of articulated and heavy-duty vehicles particularly tanker drivers must maintain their machinery in flawless mechanical condition, with meticulous emphasis on the integrity of braking systems.”

Bakare-Oki also called on truck owners to “institutionalise rigorous and continuous training and retraining programmes for their drivers,” stating that “the sanctity of human life must remain the paramount consideration in all road transport operations.”

Metro

Mother, Child Die As Tanker Rams Into Commercial Vehicle In Anambra

Published

3 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

Two persons, a mother and child, have died on the spot, and others were hospitalised after a trailer lost control and rammed into a commercial vehicle at the Ulasi River Bridge, Okija Junction in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the crash, which occurred late on Thursday when the driver of the trailer experienced brake failure and crashed into the Toyota Hiace bus on the bridge, resulted in multiple fatalities.

Some eyewitnesses and residents near the scene said the vehicle, which was coming from Upper Iweka area and travelling to Owerri, was stopped by some touts allegedly collecting revenue when the trailer’s brakes failed and hit the vehicle behind.

A video of the accident circulating on social media showed the damaged vehicle on the road with passers-by and other pedestrians making frantic efforts to rescue the accident victims, while some lifeless bodies and some unconscious victims still lay on the ground.

An eyewitness near the scene, who gave his name as Ibeabuchi Edeoga, told our correspondent that the accident involved a Toyota Hiace and a trailer truck.

He said, “The accident was caused by touts who blocked the road and were collecting revenue from commercial drivers. But unfortunately, a trailer truck that was on speed failed brakes and overran the bus, killing two people, a woman and her child instantly. Many passengers involved in the accident were rushed to a nearby hospital. But all of the victims were unconscious when they were taken to the hospital. But as of this morning, some victims have died.”

Another eyewitness, Uchenna Odinaka, said, “I was heading home when the incident happened. It could have been more disastrous, but the railings by the bridge stopped the truck from going further to hitting other vehicles and road users.

“It happened during the rush hours when everyone was trying to get home. The trailer driver and the motor boy were rescued. Two people died on the spot, while several others who were unconscious were rushed to a nearby hospital.

“The bodies of the victims lay on the ground before the rescue operations from pedestrians and the arrival of security operatives.”

When contacted on the development on Friday, the Spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra sector, Margaret Onabe, confirmed the incident, but could not, however, give the actual casualty figure.

“Yes, we received the report of the accident, but we are still investigating the cause of the crash and will issue a statement with information soon.”

Metro

Accountant Jailed 15 Years For Defrauding Oyo Job Applicants

Published

1 day ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

A serving accountant in the Oyo State Health Management Board, Wahab Olabanji, has been sentenced to a total jail term of 15 years following his conviction for fraudulently collecting various sums of money from unsuspecting victims with the promise of giving them employment.

Wahab, who until his trial was the Chief Executive Officer (Accounts) on Grade Level 14 at the state Hospital Management Board, was accused of collecting the money from applicants who applied for the last recruitments into the board and the state Teaching Service Commission.

The Chairman of Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency, Justice Eni Esan (retd.), disclosed this in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday.

She said Olabanji was convicted on a 30-count charge of official corruption, obtaining money under false pretence and conversion, to which he was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of N50,000 on each count of the charge.

Esan said, “The man was convicted on a 30-count charge of official corruption, obtaining money under false pretence and conversion. However, after a rigorous 17-month trial, the court delivered its judgement on Friday, August 1, 2025, in which the defendant was found guilty on all the 30 counts and he was sentenced to imprisonment for six months with an option of N50,000 fine on each count of the charge.

“The court also ordered the defendant to pay all sums fraudulently obtained from his victims within three months to remedy the wrong suffered by the victims due to the corrupt and fraudulent actions of the defendant.”

She reiterated OYACA’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption in the public service of the state.