Eighteen passengers, including the driver burnt beyond recognition as 18 seater bus heading to Enugu collided with a tipper conveying cement along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway.
The incident which occured on Saturday has been described as ‘black Saturday’ as most of the passengers who departed Aba, Abia State were said to have been heading back home to Enugu for Easter festival.
In a statement released by the Police, Enugu State Command, the Enugu State Police Commissioner, CP Ahmed Ammani who consoles the family of the deceased ordered a full investigation, while cautioning motorists against disobeying road traffic rules.
Police Enugu State Command said preliminary investigation reveals that the Tipper loaded with bags of cement and plying against traffic from Enugu City, had collided with the Bus loaded with passengers and coming from Aba, which resulted in the both vehicles bursting up in flames and all the occupants burning beyond recognition, except the Tipper driver who is receiving treatment in a hospital.
The full statement read:
“The Enugu State Police Command regrets to inform the general public that on 08/04/2023 at about 8.30pm, a fatal motor accident involving a Mercedes Benz Tipper with registration number: AAA 285 XR and an 18-Seater Commuter to Enugu South Mass Transit bus, with registration number: NKE 622 XA, occurred at Ituku Awgu LGA, along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway.
2. Preliminary investigation reveals that the Tipper loaded with bags of cement and plying against traffic from Enugu City, had a head-on collision with the Bus loaded with passengers and coming from Aba, Abia State, which resulted in the both vehicles bursting up in flames and all the occupants burning beyond recognition, except the driver of the Tipper, who was found alive and is currently admitted in the hospital.
3. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, fdc, while bemoaning the unfortunate incident in this Easter season, when Christians in the State and the world over are commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, has prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and also consoled their families, friends and loved ones.
4. The CP has, therefore, ordered the State Traffic Officer to carry out full-scale motor traffic investigation into the incident, including evacuating the remains and obtaining the exact identities of the deceased victims and their relatives, as well as coming up with actionable report. He cautions motorists against disobeying road traffic rules, while reiterating that the only way to safety on the road is to exercise caution, patience and obey all road traffic rules and regulations.
5. Note that viewer’s discretion is strongly advised in the accompanying pictures from the scene of the accident, please.
DSP DANIEL NDUKWE, Anipr
Police Public Relations Officer,
Enugu State Command,
State Headquarters,
G.R.A., Enugu.
09/04/2023.
