Five people, including a young girl, died and 12 others were injured in a fatal road accident along the Nkalagu axis of the Enugu–Abakaliki Federal Highway in Ebonyi State on Friday. The incident occurred at Edema Bridge in Nkalagu, Ishielu Local Government Area, involving a white commercial Toyota Hiace bus with registration number RSH 231 XE. The bus was traveling from Abakaliki to Enugu and was carrying 17 passengers—12 males, four females, and one female child. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the details in a statement released by the Ebonyi State Sector Commander, Daniel Asanya.
According to Asanya, the crash resulted in the deaths of four males and one female child. Twelve other passengers, including eight males and four females, sustained injuries of varying severity. The FRSC commander attributed the accident to excessive speed, citing preliminary investigations that identified speed violation as the primary cause. He emphasized that the driver’s failure to adhere to safe driving practices led to the tragic outcome.
At the scene, recovery efforts yielded three mobile phones, two bags containing personal belongings, and a quarter bag of rice. These items were collected as part of the post-accident documentation and investigation process. The injured victims were promptly evacuated to Annunciation Hospital in Emene, Enugu State, for medical treatment. The bodies of the deceased were taken to a morgue for further procedures and identification.
Asanya urged all motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly on sections of the Enugu–Abakaliki highway currently under construction and maintenance. He highlighted that poor road conditions and ongoing work increase the risk of accidents if drivers are not vigilant. He also called on the construction company managing the project to install adequate reflective and illuminated warning signs to alert road users and improve safety along the route.
The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety in Nigeria, especially on major highways where construction and maintenance activities are common. With many lives lost and others injured, the tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved infrastructure safety measures. The FRSC continues to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as investigations progress. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and the importance of road safety awareness across the country.
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