The Federal Road Safety Corps has successfully rescued 25 victims from a tragic road traffic crash on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway at Ugwu Onyeama on June 11, 2024, at 1900HRS. Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed has promptly ordered a thorough investigation and swift prosecution of the driver responsible for this devastating incident.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the crash, attributed to speed violation, involved seven vehicles: a black Toyota Matrix (ENU742NL), a white Suzuki Hijet mini-bus (ENU982XY), a Custom Toyota Highlander jeep (JRV247HK), a blue Toyota Corolla (UWN16AP), a Toyota Rav 4, a Red Mack Tanker, and a Mazda vehicle.
The FRSC emergency rescue teams dispatched to the scene reported a total of 29 individuals involved, comprising 20 male adults and 9 female adults. Among them, 10 victims, including 8 male adults and 2 females, sustained varying degrees of injuries. Tragically, four victims lost their lives, with two fatalities occurring on-site and the remaining two succumbing to injuries in the hospital.
The injured victims have been transported to the Orthopedic Hospital in Enugu, while the deceased have been respectfully deposited at the Park Lane Hospital morgue.
In alignment with the Corps Marshal’s earlier stance on imposing maximum penalties for such reckless actions, Shehu Mohammed reiterates the FRSC’s unwavering commitment to prosecuting drivers whose negligence leads to road traffic crashes. The driver responsible for the Ugwu Onyeama crash will face the full weight of the law.
He urges collaboration from the Judiciary, transport union leaders, and other pertinent stakeholders in the road transportation sector to expedite the process of justice, ensuring swift and effective prosecution of traffic offenders, especially those accountable for crashes on Nigerian roads.
Corps Commander and Corps Public Education Officer Olusehun Ogungbemide, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, conveyed that the Corps Marshal emphasized the crucial need for moral and ethical renewal among road users. He highlighted that traffic violations frequently lead to tragic incidents and loss of lives. The FRSC remains steadfast in its mission to hold errant drivers accountable and promote safer roads for everyone.