By Abimbola Ogunnaike
At least six people lost their lives while dozen others sustained injury in a fatal motor accident involving a Mack Truck and four minibusses at IMSU Junction, along Okigwe road, Owerri, Imo State capital.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed the sad development through a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday, 19 May, 2024.
Okoye said preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of the Mack Truck with reg no: KWL 857 YE, heading towards IMSU Junction from Orji, along Okigwe road, allegedly lost control of his vehicle, and diverted one way where he ran over four shuttle minibuses and some pedestrians along the road which left many seriously injured.
“Following information received from a concerned citizen on 18/05/2024, at about 1745hrs, that a fatal motor accident involving a Mack Truck and four minibusses occurred at IMSU Junction, along Okigwe road, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, swiftly mobilised operatives of Orji Divisional Headquarters and the State Traffic department to the scene.
“On arrival at the scene, the Police operatives in synergy with public-spirited individuals assisted in evacuating the victims to Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri for medical attention, where the medical practitioner on duty confirmed six (6) dead on arrival, while frantic efforts commenced to save the lives of the injured victims.
“Photographs and sketches of the accident scene have been taken and the accidental vehicles have been cleared off the road for easy flow of traffic, while the corpses of the deceased victims have been deposited at FMC mortuary for preservation
“Efforts are in progress to contact the families of the deceased and injured victims and apprehend the driver of the truck that immediately fled the scene after the accident.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, while commiserating with the families, friends, and relatives of the deceased, prayed for the repose of their souls and wishes the injured victims a quick recovery, noting that the Command is saddened by the avoidable accident.
“The Commissioner of Police tasks the State Traffic Officers to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the accident and apprehend the driver of the Mack truck who is currently at large.
“He implores road users in the State to always drive responsibly and always access the roadworthiness of their vehicles to avoid accidents,” the state police image-maker added.
