Six people lost their lives and five others sustained injuries in a fatal collision between a tipper truck and a commercial bus at the Nawfia axis, near the Enugu-Agidi Junction along the Awka–Onitsha Expressway in Anambra State.
The crash reportedly occurred late Friday and was linked to excessive speeding by drivers of a yellow-and-black tipper with registration number FGG 21XV and a red 608 bus marked XQ 398 AA.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Bridget Asekhauno, said reckless driving was responsible for the accident.
According to her, “Two vehicles were involved — a yellow-and-black tipper truck with registration number FGG 21XV and a red 608 bus with registration number XQ 398 AA. A total of 32 people were onboard, including nine male adults and 23 female adults.”
She added that the impact of the collision was devastating.
“Six people — two male adults and four female adults — were confirmed dead. Five female adults sustained injuries, while 21 persons were rescued unhurt,” Asekhauno said.
The victims were taken to the Amaku General Hospital in Awka, where medical personnel confirmed the deaths.
An eyewitness who was travelling in the bus said the passengers were returning from a burial ceremony organised by the Catholic Women Organisation in Ebonyi State.
He narrated that the bus driver had been speeding and overtaking dangerously in an attempt to recover lost time.
“The driver kept overtaking recklessly despite warnings from passengers. It was during one of those dangerous attempts that he collided head-on with the tipper,” the witness recounted.
Asekhauno described the crash as a painful reminder of the consequences of irresponsible driving.
“This tragic incident underscores the need for motorists to respect traffic regulations. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and we urge all drivers to avoid aggressive overtaking and prioritise safety,” she said.
She added that the FRSC had cleared the obstruction from the road, restoring free flow of traffic, and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing traffic laws and providing timely emergency response.
The incident comes barely 10 days after a similar accident claimed one life and injured another along the Nteje–Awka section of the Onitsha–Awka–Enugu Expressway.
