The Federal Road Safety Corps has attributed the recent accident in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, to route violations. The crash involved operatives of the Anambra State Special Anti-Tout Squad and a tipper loaded with sand.
Reports indicate that four operatives lost their lives, while others sustained injuries after their vehicle collided with the tipper.
The accident, which occurred on Friday along the Onitsha-Owerri Road near New Road Junction in Oba, involved three vehicles: a private Toyota Hummer bus (registration number UWN763XA), a government-owned Toyota Hummer bus (without a registration number), and a Mercedes Benz tipper.
Reports indicate that the driver of the Toyota bus collided with the tipper while exiting a junction during a routine stop-and-search operation.
In a statement on Friday, the Sector Public Education Officer for the Anambra State Sector Commander, Margaret Onabe, attributed the crash to a route violation, which led to a head-on collision.
Onabe revealed that the accident involved five male adults, resulting in four fatalities and one injury.
She stated, “The rescue operation was carried out by Anambra State Anti-Tout personnel. Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps team is managing traffic, and the crashed vehicles have been cleared, ensuring a smooth flow of movement.”
“The FRSC rescue team initially faced challenges in carrying out their duties due to an attack by local youths from the Oba community,” the statement noted. “The youths alleged that certain individuals were responsible for the crash and insisted on their presence before any rescue efforts could begin. As a result, the team had no choice but to withdraw temporarily. They later returned after the arrival of the police and other armed agencies.”
The Sector Commander of the Anambra State FRSC, Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander, extended her condolences to the families of the deceased.
Onabe urged motorists to avoid dangerous driving and route violations, particularly on expressways. She also appealed to the public to cooperate with FRSC teams during rescue operations, emphasizing that any delays in clearing road obstructions could lead to further loss of lives.
