Several passengers were feared dead on Thursday morning when a truck lost control and rammed into an 18-seater bus at a security checkpoint on the Lokpanta axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The bus was reportedly waiting to be cleared by security agents when the incident occurred.
According to an eyewitness who with Vanguard, the trailer collided with the bus, killing some passengers and injuring others.
In response to the tragic event, angry drivers and commuters blocked the highway in protest, demanding accountability from the security operatives who had set up the checkpoint.
The protesters insisted they would not clear the road until those responsible were produced.
Governor Alex Otti has ordered an investigation into the incident to determine if there was any professional misconduct.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of the injured and ensuring the highway is cleared for traffic flow.
“Our interest as a government is to ensure that those who were injured are properly taken care of,” Otti said. “Proper investigation must be conducted to find out if there were any professional misconduct. Those who are culpable will be punished. Government and police authorities will come down hard on anyone involved in causing the accident.”
At the time of his statement, Otti reported the casualty figure at three, adding that efforts were underway to clear the road and restore order.
“I was told that the Mayor of Umunneochi has brought in a crane to remove the trailer and that the road, which was completely blocked, has been cleared for easy movement of vehicles,” he noted.
