TEN DEAD, TEN INJURED IN TWO SEPARATE CRASHES ON ENUGU–PORT HARCOURT EXPRESSWAY

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

At least ten people have been confirmed dead and ten others injured in two separate road accidents that occurred on Wednesday along the Ozalla/4-Corner axis of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.

The first accident happened around 9 a.m. when a Howo truck, loaded with cement and bearing the inscription Visco Investment Global, collided with a Toyota Corolla attempting to overtake another truck. A Foton bus and a Daihatsu Hijet mini bus, both driving against traffic, were also caught in the collision.

The impact sparked a fire, burning the truck head and the Corolla. Five occupants of the Corolla and a passenger in the mini bus were killed in the inferno.

The second crash occurred around 3 p.m. on the same road, when a Sino truck belonging to Global Investment and also loaded with cement allegedly drove against traffic from Garriki Enugu towards Nenwe in Aninri LGA and rammed into a tricycle. Four occupants of the tricycle died on the spot.

Ten other victims of the two crashes are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Confirming the incidents, Enugu State Police Command spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, had ordered the State Motor Traffic Department to launch a thorough investigation.

While mourning the victims, Giwa described the crashes as “avoidable” and cautioned motorists to exercise restraint, especially during the Ember Months when road traffic usually spikes.

“No journey is worth the loss of lives,” he warned, urging drivers to obey traffic regulations, avoid recklessness, and prioritize safety over speed.