The Enugu State Police Command has reported a devastating toll of 10 fatalities resulting from two separate accidents on the Ozalla/Four-Corner Enugu section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
Both incidents, which occurred on Wednesday, also left 10 individuals injured, who are currently receiving medical attention in local hospitals.
Police spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe addressed the media, expressing sorrow over the events and extending condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
Ndukwe detailed that the first incident involved a multiple-vehicle collision around 9:00 a.m. A Howo truck, marked Visco Investment Global and transporting bags of white cement from Aba, Abia State, collided with a Toyota Corolla while attempting to overtake another truck. A Foton bus and a Daihatsu Hijet mini-bus, both traveling in the opposite direction, were also caught in the mishap. Tragically, the truck and the Toyota Corolla were engulfed in flames, resulting in the deaths of five occupants of the car, while a passenger in the mini-bus was also confirmed dead by medical personnel.
Later, around 3:00 p.m., another serious accident occurred on the same stretch of road, involving a Sino truck and a tricycle. The truck, loaded with cement and traveling the wrong way from Garriki, Enugu, collided with the tricycle, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants. Despite being rushed to the hospital, they were pronounced dead upon arrival.
Ndukwe stated that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families. He also ordered the State Motor Traffic Department to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents.
Ndukwe emphasized that these accidents were preventable and urged drivers to exercise heightened caution, particularly during the Ember Months when traffic volumes increase and the risk of accidents rises.
