Five children and three adults lost their lives when a trailer lost control and veered off the busy Nnewi-Amichi-Ekwulummiri-Uga, Anambra, and Ideato, Imo State expressway.
The tragic incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. near Chisco Park Junction in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Among the victims was a middle-aged man who had just concluded his father’s burial and was preparing for the Thanksgiving service today.
Speaking to newsmen, the President General of Obiagu Amichi and the Okpara Descendants Union, Chief Chinedu Nzekwe, said the crash happened at the heart of three kindreds in Obiagu village – Ebenato, Okpara, and Uhuachi.
According to Chief Nzekwe, the community is yet to determine the exact number of casualties, but so far, five children and three adults have been confirmed dead by their families.
He added that several survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals and are reportedly responding to treatment.
Initial reports indicate that the trailer suffered brake failure, causing the driver to lose control before the vehicle plunged into a bush at Amichi Junction, crushing unsuspecting victims gathered nearby.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as horrific, noting that the victims were mostly traders and commercial motorcyclists relaxing after the day’s business at the always busy Chisco Park Junction.
An indigene of Amichi, Ekene Okpara, said, “The victims didn’t see the vehicle coming.
That junction is usually crowded both day and night, and it’s rare to see such a heavy vehicle there at that hour. The worst-hit were traders near the entrance to the Cathedral road and bystanders waiting to board tricycles and motorcycles home.”
The Anambra State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, went unanswered.
However, spokesperson of the Anambra Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Margaret Onabe, confirmed the incident but said they were still gathering full details.
She noted that the FRSC had since cleared the scene for free vehicular movement and would provide an update on casualty figures shortly.
