Tragedy struck on Tuesday night along the Owerri/Onitsha
Expressway when a gas tanker truck collided head-on with a passenger bus,
killing 12 people, including four children, and injuring eight others.
The spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, Henry
Okoye, confirmed the accident on Wednesday. He said the tanker, with
registration number T 16716 LA and marked with the inscription NUPENG,
was driving against traffic when it rammed into a bus carrying members of the Jehovah’s
Witness Church travelling from Anambra State to Agwa village in Imo.
“The deceased have been evacuated and deposited at
Ogbaku Mortuary, while the injured persons are receiving treatment at Divine
Hospital, Awo-Omamma,” Okoye stated. He added that the crash site had been
cleared and normal traffic restored through the joint efforts of police and
road safety officials.
Police Response
The Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, expressed
condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured victims quick
recovery. He described the incident as a “painful loss caused by avoidable
recklessness.”
He further warned motorists against one-way driving,
excessive speeding, and other dangerous behaviours that contribute to road
fatalities.
“Motorists must prioritise safety, obey traffic rules,
and drive responsibly to safeguard lives and property,” Danjuma urged.
Ongoing Investigation
Police say an investigation has commenced to determine
the circumstances surrounding the crash. Members of the public with useful
information have been encouraged to contact the Command via 08148024755 or 08034773600.
Comments:
Leave a Reply