Tragedy struck along the Nawfia section of the busy Awka-Onitsha Road on Friday night as a fatal collision between a commercial bus and a tipper truck claimed multiple lives in Anambra State.
Newsonspot reported that eyewitnesses said that no fewer than ten people died and several others were injured, though the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later confirmed six deaths and five injured victims.
According eyewitness reports, the bus was travelling from Ebonyi to Onitsha after a Catholic Women Organisation burial. She explained that “The bus driver attempted dangerous overtaking to make up lost time, causing a head-on collision with the tipper.” The crash involved 32 people nine men and 23 women.
A survivor recounted that the bus driver had been driving recklessly, making repeated dangerous overtaking attempts in an effort to recover lost time. Unfortunately, it was one of these risky maneuvers that led to the fatal head-on collision with the tipper truck.
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Bridget Asekhauno, said the vehicles involved were a yellow-and-black tipper truck with registration number FGG 21XV and a red 608 bus with plate number XQ 398 AA.
A total of 32 persons were involved in the crash – nine adult males and 23 adult females. Of these, six people, including two adult males and four adult females, lost their lives. Five female passengers sustained various injuries, while 21 others escaped unhurt.
All the victims were evacuated to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, where medical personnel confirmed the deaths and admitted the injured for treatment.
The FRSC added that the crash caused a temporary obstruction along the highway, but rescue officials later cleared the scene, restoring normal traffic flow.
Sector Commander Asekhauno expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured. She stressed that the tragedy highlights the severe dangers of reckless driving and dangerous overtaking on highways. She urged motorists to obey traffic rules, exercise patience, and prioritize the safety of all road users.
The FRSC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing traffic regulations, improving road safety awareness, and providing rapid emergency response across Anambra State.
