A tragic accident on Sunday evening along the Owerri-Aba Road claimed the lives of seven travellers when three vehicles collided at Ulakwo, Imo State. The victims, all passengers, were travelling from Owerri to Aba when the devastating crash occurred. The incident has left families in shock and renewed concerns about road safety in the region.
According to eyewitness reports, the accident took place shortly after heavy rainfall began around 5 p.m. The rain, which made the road slippery, is believed to have caused poor visibility, making it difficult for drivers to navigate safely. The collision involved three passenger buses, all heading in the same direction, and left a scene of devastation, with seven people confirmed dead at the crash site.
Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Imo State Police Command, confirmed the tragic incident. He explained that the police were on the ground immediately after the crash to manage the situation and ensure that traffic was properly controlled.
“Yes, the DPO and his men are already on the ground to ensure order, that corpses are removed, and the free flow of traffic. We are on top of the situation,” Okoye said in his statement.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the accident as horrific, with bodies of the victims lying in a pool of blood following the crash. The cause of the accident is suspected to be a combination of the slippery road conditions due to the rain and the impatience of some of the drivers involved.
An eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the poor visibility caused by the rain, coupled with drivers attempting to speed through the downpour, likely led to the fatal crash. He described the accident as a result of a lack of caution on the part of the drivers.
“Though the road is wide, it became very slippery after the rain began,” the eyewitness said. “The vehicles rammed into each other, and before anyone could react, seven people were dead in a pool of their blood.”
The eyewitness’s account suggested that the crash might have been preventable had the drivers exercised more caution in the challenging weather conditions. He added that the number of casualties could have been higher had emergency responders not arrived quickly to manage the situation.
The timing of the accident – just after the rain began – points to the dangerous road conditions created by the heavy downpour. This is a common issue on roads in the region, particularly during the rainy season, when visibility is reduced, and roads become slick and treacherous.
In addition, the eyewitness noted that impatience often plays a role in accidents along major highways. The Owerri-Aba Road, a busy route for travellers, is frequently congested, especially during peak hours. Many drivers, eager to reach their destination quickly, sometimes disregard safety protocols, driving too fast for the weather conditions. This type of reckless driving is a recurring problem on Nigerian roads, contributing to the high number of accidents.
The fact that the accident involved passenger buses further highlights the risk faced by commuters, especially on busy intercity roads where multiple vehicles often share narrow lanes. It is common for bus drivers to engage in unsafe driving practices to make up for lost time or navigate through traffic, putting passengers and other road users in danger.
Following the tragedy, there has been an outpouring of grief and anger from residents and commuters who use the road regularly. Many have called for better enforcement of road safety rules, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Some have also called on the government to improve road infrastructure to ensure that roads are safer for all users, especially during the rainy season.
Nigeria has long struggled with high rates of road traffic accidents, many of which are caused by poor road conditions, lack of adequate traffic management, and reckless driving. According to the National Road Traffic Accident Reports, a significant percentage of fatal accidents in the country occur during the rainy season due to slippery roads and reduced visibility.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other traffic management agencies have repeatedly highlighted the need for drivers to exercise caution, especially in rainy weather. However, despite these warnings, many drivers continue to engage in risky behaviour, often disregarding speed limits and other safety measures.
In recent years, the Nigerian government has made efforts to improve road infrastructure, but many roads across the country, especially in rural areas, remain in poor condition. The Owerri-Aba Road, a key route for intercity travel in Imo State, has seen improvements in some sections, but challenges with traffic congestion and the lack of safety features such as proper signage and barriers still pose significant risks to commuters.
In light of the recent accident, road safety advocates are calling for more comprehensive reforms to reduce traffic-related deaths in Nigeria. These reforms include improving road infrastructure, increasing awareness campaigns about safe driving, and ensuring stricter enforcement of traffic laws, especially during adverse weather conditions.
A key part of these reforms would be the implementation of measures to make roads safer for commuters during the rainy season, such as the installation of better drainage systems, better road markings, and the introduction of more frequent patrols by traffic management agencies.
