The accident reportedly occurred at about 9 pm on Sunday, April 27, when a Mack tanker without a registration number collided with a Toyota Hiace bus, registered as EKP375XM.

The Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra Sector Command, Margaret Onabe, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, April 28.

Onabe said that the rescue team from RS5.33 Nteje attended to the injured victims, transporting them to the hospital for treatment, while the de@d victims were taken to Jerusalem Mortuary Nteje after confirmation by a doctor.

She attributed the cause of the crash to speeding.

She said, “The Federal Road Safety Corps Anambra Sector Command regrets to announce a fatal crash that occurred on April 27, at approximately 9 pm along the Nteje-Awka route, near the New Terminal close to Ukpo Junction.

“According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations, a Mack tanker without a registration number collided with a Toyota Hiace bus, registered as EKP375XM. The bus, which was travelling from Abakaliki to Onitsha, was speeding and overtook dangerously before colliding with the tanker, which was heading towards Awka on a single carriageway. The crash resulted in eight fatalities—four males and four females—and injured six others, comprising two males and four females.

“The FRSC Anambra Sector Command extends its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander, has urged drivers to prioritise their safety and that of others by maintaining a safe speed and ensuring that the road is clear before overtaking to prevent such tragic incidents.

“Drivers must ensure they drive at a minimum safe speed and only overtake when the road is clear.

“The rescue team from RS5.33 Nteje attended to the injured victims, transporting them to the hospital for treatment, while the deceased were taken to Jerusalem Mortuary Nteje after confirmation by a doctor.”

She said the sector commander visited the crash scene, inspected the crashed vehicles at Nteje Police Station, and met with the NUPENG chief of the task force.

“She also visited the surviving victims at Regina Caeli Hospital and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital to assess their condition and offer support.

“The Sector Commander’s proactive approach underscores the FRSC Anambra Sector Command’s dedication to preventing road crashes and ensuring the safety of all road users. By engaging with stakeholders like NUPENG and monitoring the aftermath of the crash, the Command aims to identify areas for improvement and implement measures to reduce the risk of future accidents,” she added.