At least seven people lost their lives in two different road accidents that happened in Ebonyi State over the weekend.
The crashes took place at Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, near the permanent site of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), and at Nwanwu junction in Izzi Local Government Area.
The Ezzamgbo accident, which happened on Saturday, involved a commercial bus carrying passengers from Benue State to Onitsha, Anambra State, and a 911 truck transporting sachet water from Enugu to Abakaliki.
An eyewitness, Ezechi Onwe, told reporters that many lives were lost in the collision. He blamed the accident on the Ishieke Police checkpoint, saying officers blocked the road at night, creating dangerous conditions that contributed to the crash.
He added that the checkpoint area has recorded several accidents in the past, as the practice by officers there continues to put road users at risk. “Families are mourning, and survivors are struggling for their lives. All of this could have been avoided with proper traffic control,” he said.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, SP Joshua Ukandu, said only two people died in the accident. He explained that those injured had been taken to hospital for treatment.
In another incident at Nwanwu junction, three people were killed and many others injured after a concrete mixer truck lost control and rammed into nearby shops.
A resident, Blessing Nkwegu, said the truck’s brake failed, causing it to crash into shops at the junction. She added that while trying to avoid the crash, a motorcycle accident also occurred at Offia Oku, Amachi Road.
Shops belonging to a DJ known as Ogobest and two food vendors were completely destroyed in the accident. “We pray no more deaths are recorded because many of the injured are still unconscious,” she said.
