By Cajetan Mmuta
Eleven passengers have been roasted alive and beyond recognition in a ghastly accident that occurred on Sunday at the Agulu Lake in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State.
The accident involved passengers of an 18 seater commercial bus and a Mack heavy-duty truck carrying concrete shippings.
This is as operatives of the State Police Command have arrested one of the suspects who attacks Ajalli Police Station in Orumba North Local government area of the state on September 30th this year.
The Ajalli Police Station was attacked by unknown gunmen who also looted the station during the run-up to the November 6, 2021governorshop election in the state.
However, the crash which took place in the afternoon involved a Mack heavy-duty truck and a Mitsubishi bus that had a head collision.
Both vehicles had burst into flames moments after the collision took place leaving the passengers struggling to escape while trapped inside the mangled body of the An eye.
Eye witness said the bus was loaded with passengers, while the Mack heavy-duty truck was laden with stone chippings.
It was not certain what may have led to the carnage.
The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Irelewuyi Adeoye when contacted on phone confirmed the incident.
He said that many casualties were involved and that fire servicemen had been contacted adding that his men were at the scene for rescue operations.
He said, “I cannot give you the actual figure of casualties, I want to be factual.”
But a statement released late Sunday night by the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that eleven persons were burnt beyond recognition in the boxing day accident on the lake bridge along with the Awka-Ekwuluobia toad.
The FRSC report on the incident reads that “a fatal road traffic crash occurred at Agulu lake bridge by Awka-Ekwulobia road today, 26th December 2021 at about 16:39hrs.”
According to the FRSC sector commander Mr. Irelewuyi Adeoye, “The crash involved three vehicles; MACK. a vehicle without a registration number, a Mitsubishi L300 bus with registration number XA857UMN which was carrying 14 passengers inside, and another, HIJET vehicle with number plate UM Z23 XC.
He explained that the probable cause of the fatal crash was attributed wrongful overtaking and excessive speed.”
According to an eyewitness report, the driver of the L300 was on speed, overtook wrongfully, and collided with the Mack truck. The shuttle bus ran into the already collided vehicles.
Irelewuyi disclosed that 20 people were involved in the crash, pointing out that those injured included four persons (two male adults, and two female adults), those killed comprised of 11 (three male adults, one female child, and seven people were trapped inside the L300 bus and burnt beyond recognition).
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He added that five passengers from the jet bus were rescued alive and unhurt.
The injured victims were rushed to St Joseph’s hospital where four were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty and their corpses deposited at the hospital morgue.
The FRSC rescue team from Nanka were on the ground to manage the situation, diverted traffic because the bridge was blocked, and effort was made to evacuate the burnt bodies.
Also, a tow truck was deployed to clear the obstruction caused by the crash.
Irelewuyi further sympathized with the families of the dead victims and wished the injured victims quick recovery.
He urged the motoring public to ensure the road is clear before overtaking and also maintain stipulated speed limits.
He added that traffic rules and regulations must be obeyed at all times.
Speaking on the arrest of the suspected ct, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Ikenga Toochukwu said that one of the attackers was nabbed on Christmas day by men of the command.
The suspect, Emmanuel Nwafor, was cruising with a motorcycle on Christmas day, and the motorcycle is said to be part of the properties looted from the station.
According to Ikenga in a statement, “Emmanuel Nwafor “M”, age 25yrs with address at Umuevee Ajalli Orumba North LGA was arrested By Operatives Of Ajalli Division On 25th December 2021.’
The Suspect was found with one of the exhibit motorcycles looted from Ajalli Police Station during the attack by hoodlums on 30th September 2021.”
He said the suspect was already helping the police with useful information, adding that there have ascertained any connection yet between the suspect and the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
