Twelve persons have died in road accidents in Taraba and Imo states.
Six women lost their lives in an auto crash on Sunday along the Gembu-Jalingo Road in Taraba State while another six persons were killed when a truck ran over four shuttle minibuses at the Imo State University (IMSU) junction on Saturday night.
It was gathered that the victims of the Taraba accident were members of the women’s wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State branch.
The women were said to be returning to Jalingo after attending a conference in Gembu, the headquarters of Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.
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Other women involved in the accident sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Serti.
The state governor, Agbu Kefas, has expressed his condolences over the tragic accident, referring to it as a “black Sunday.”
In a statement by his media aide, Emmanuel Bello, the governor described the news of the accident as heartbreaking and devastating.
Kefas said the nature of the women’s deaths was regrettable and tragic as they were returning from the CAN conference in Gembu when the accident happened.
He offered prayers for the repose of their souls and pledged his administration’s commitment to ensuring safer roads, particularly in high-risk areas.
The governor said he has directed local government chairmen to maintain existing roads with proper traffic controls, signboards, and basic repairs.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has confirmed that six people were killed and others injured in an accident involving a truck at the Imo State University (IMSU) junction last Saturday night.
Police spokesman in Imo, Henry Okoye, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri on Sunday.
He said preliminary investigations showed that the driver of the Mack Truck, with registration number KWL 857 YE, heading towards IMSU Junction from Orji along Okigwe Road, lost control of the vehicle and drove the wrong way, hitting four buses and injuring several people.
He said upon arrival at the scene, the police operatives, in collaboration with public-spirited individuals, assisted in evacuating the victims to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owerri for medical attention, where the medical practitioner on duty confirmed six dead on arrival.
Frantic efforts commenced to save the lives of the injured victims, he added.
He said the vehicles involved have been cleared from the road to ensure the flow of traffic while the bodies of the deceased victims have been deposited at the FMC mortuary.
“Efforts are in progress to contact the families of the deceased and injured victims and apprehend the driver of the truck, who fled the scene immediately after the accident,” Okoye added.
Reacting to the incident, the Imo State government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, expressed sadness over the accident and ordered a thorough investigation into the accident to identify the culprits who should face the full wrath of the law.
The governor also directed the state Commissioner for Health to follow up and ensure that adequate medical attention is given to those admitted.
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