A tragic accident happened early Saturday morning near the Ebonyi State University Permanent Site, along the busy Abakaliki–Enugu highway. The crash involved two vehicles and resulted in several deaths and many injuries.
The accident was between a commercial bus carrying passengers from Benue State to Onitsha and a 911 truck filled with sachet water, traveling from Enugu to Abakaliki.
Eyewitnesses said the crash happened near the Ishieke area, a spot known for frequent accidents.
People living nearby and some of the survivors claimed that police officers had partially blocked the road at the Ishieke checkpoint the night before. This, they said, created dangerous conditions that led to the crash. The bus reportedly ran into the truck, killing several people instantly and injuring others badly.
Those who saw the crash said the scene was terrifying. Broken glass, spilled goods, and injured passengers were everywhere. Many were trapped and crying for help before emergency teams arrived. Some victims were taken to hospitals, while others died at the scene.
“This could have been prevented if the police hadn’t made the road so dangerous,” said one witness, blaming the officers for poor traffic control.
The Ishieke checkpoint has often been criticized by drivers and locals for unsafe practices, and several accidents have happened there before. This latest tragedy has led to renewed calls for the government to review how checkpoints are managed and improve road safety.
Families of the victims are now mourning their loved ones, while injured survivors fight for their lives in Abakaliki hospitals. As of the time this report was written, the Ebonyi State Police had not released an official statement.
