Six die in two Ebonyi road accidents

Robert Nneli, dean of basic medical sciences at the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi, died in a motor accident on Thursday.

According to NAN, Stella Uchendu, sector commander of Federal Road Safety Corporation (FRSC) in Ebonyi, said the accident occurred at the 131 junction of the Abakaliki-Enugu federal highway.

She said Nneli’s accident and another occurred between 9 and 11pm.

Uchendu explained that possible reckless driving, over-speeding and poor visibility may be the reason for the accidents as it was raining heavily.

“In the first accident, the articulated vehicle’s driver blinded with his headlight the driver of the white-coloured Toyota Camry vehicle which made him lose control as he was on top speed,” she said.

“The vehicle then veered off its lane and collided with the on-coming articulated vehicle. The car was crushed by the truck.

“The professor died in the accident as his son and another occupant sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.”

Uchendu said in the second accident, an SUV with occupants also crashed into an articulated truck.

According to her, all the five occupants died and their corpses were evacuated to the federal teaching hospital Abakaliki.

“When we concluded our evacuation, the police men on duty told us that they would tow the articulated vehicle off the road but they never did,” she said.

“The SUV apparently crashed into the articulated vehicle as all its five occupants died and their corpses evacuated to the Federal Teaching hospital Abakaliki.

“Motorists should ensure that when they are confronted with headlights from oncoming vehicles, they should reduce their speed and and keep to their right side.

“Motorists should also avoid night travels, driving under the rain and ensure they obey road regulations to save lives.”

Jude Madu, spokesman for the police in Ebonyi, said the FRSC should be blamed for not towing the truck away from the road.

“No police officer would reject an offer of assistance to tow vehicles off the road, in order to save lives as my officers stayed on the road till day break to enforce law and order,” he said.

“They even signaled to approaching cars to divert to the other lane of the road but most drivers including that of the SUV, failed to heed to the diversion signals.”

Nneli, 69, joined the university in 2012 after spending close to 20 at Abia State University.