Reckless Driving Leaves 10 Dead, 10 Injured in Enugu Crashes
At least 10 people lost their lives and 10 others were injured on Wednesday in two separate accidents along the Ozalla/4-Corner section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, both linked to reckless driving and wrong-way movement.
The first collision, which occurred around 9 a.m., involved a Howo truck marked with Visco Investment Global and loaded with cement from Aba to Abuja.
Witnesses said the truck collided with a Toyota Corolla attempting to overtake another vehicle. A Foton bus and a Daihatsu Hijet mini bus, both reportedly driving against traffic, were caught in the crash.
The impact triggered a fire that engulfed the truck’s head and the Toyota, killing all five occupants of the car.
A passenger in the mini bus also died, bringing the death toll from the morning accident to six.
Hours later, at about 3 p.m., another crash occurred on the same stretch of road when a Sino truck, also loaded with cement and allegedly driving one-way from Garriki Enugu to Nenwe in Aninri LGA, rammed into a tricycle.
Four occupants of the tricycle were confirmed dead. Ten others injured across the two accidents are receiving treatment in hospital.
Confirming the incidents, police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe said the state Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough probe into the crashes.
“The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, while mourning the tragic loss of lives and commiserating with the families of the deceased, has directed the State Motor Traffic Department to carry out a diligent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accidents.
“The CP describes the crashes as avoidable and strongly cautioned drivers to exercise utmost care, especially during these Ember Months, when road traffic usually increases and accidents are more frequent. He reminded motorists that no journey is worth the loss of lives, urging them to shun recklessness, obey traffic rules, and prioritize safety over speed,” Ndukwe’s statement read in part.
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