At least six people have been confirmed dead after a truck transporting foodstuffs lost control and overturned at the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Enugu State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander for Enugu State, Franklin Agbakoba, disclosed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
According to him, the crash occurred around 8 a.m., leaving multiple casualties.
This latest accident comes less than a month after a devastating fuel tanker explosion at the same location claimed 23 lives.
The frequent tragedies along the Ugwu-Onyeama axis have raised concerns about road safety in the area, prompting calls for urgent government intervention to prevent further loss of life.
Upon receiving a distress call, FRSC personnel rushed to the scene and rescued three victims, who were taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, for treatment.
He explained that the truck, which was transporting vegetables and fruits along with a few traders, was speeding when it lost control and overturned.
“The accident involved nine people — eight adult males and one adult female.
“Five male adults and one female adult were confirmed dead at the scene, while the FRSC rescue team took three injured male adults to ESUTH, Parklane, Enugu, for medical attention.
“The Muslim faithful in the truck took the bodies of five Muslim victims for burial, while relatives of the deceased woman collected her remains,” he said.
Agbakoba stated that the crash was a lone accident involving only the truck, attributing it to excessive speed and brake failure.
“It is unfortunate, and we pray that God consoles the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident,” he added.
