By Chijioke Oye
Tragedy struck at the Issele-Uku junction along the Asaba-Benin Highway yesterday when a heavy-duty truck carrying approximately 900 tons of ceramic products collided with a fully loaded commercial bus travelling from Lagos to the southeastern region of Nigeria.
Eyewitnesses reported that the accident occurred as the commercial bus, bearing registration number Benue: UKM 157 XA, attempted to overtake the speeding truck from the right-hand side, an ill-fated manoeuvre that led to a fatal crash. The forceful impact pushed the bus off the road, killing at least 17 passengers, including children.
Speaking on the incident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Issele-Uku Division Commander, Benjamin Ojiefo, said that the accident could have been prevented had the bus driver adhered to proper overtaking procedures by passing the truck from the left side instead of the right.
“It was a tragic miscalculation. If the driver had observed the basic traffic rule of overtaking from the left, this accident could have been avoided,” Ojiefo said.
At the time of filing this report, only one passenger from the bus and two individuals from the truck, including the driver, have been rescued and rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Meanwhile, emergency response teams are continuing search-and-rescue efforts, fearing that all other passengers in the commercial bus may have perished in the crash.
Authorities urge motorists to exercise caution and adhere strictly to road safety regulations to prevent further tragedies on the nation’s highways.
