The Imo State Police Command on Sunday confirmed that six persons were killed, and others injured in an accident involving a truck at the Imo State University, IMSU, junction last Saturday night.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri.
In a preliminary investigation, the police said the driver of the Mack Truck with reg no: KWL 857 YE, allegedly lost control of his vehicle and diverted one way where the truck hit four buses and injured others.
Explaining further, the Police said: “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 mobilized 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.
“Meanwhile, preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of the Mack Truck with reg no: KWL 857 YE was heading towards IMSU Junction from Orji, along Okigwe road, allegedly lost control of his vehicle, and diverted oneway where he ran over four shuttle minibusses and some pedestrians along the road which left many seriously injured. 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.”
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“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.
“More so, 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,” he said.
Reacting, the Imo state government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said: “The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives at IMSU junction in Owerri on Saturday night as a result of vehicular accident. While the governor yesterday directed an immediate response team including security agencies, that assisted in taking the injured victims to hospitals and the fatal ones to the mortuary, he has further directed the State Commissioner for Health to follow up and ensure that adequate medical attention is given to those on admission.
“He has equally directed a holistic investigation into the accident with a view to identifying the culprits who should be made to face the full wrath of the law. His Excellency regrets the avoidable loss of lives, including those of innocent students whose future has been abruptly arrested as a result of this tragic event. While condoling with the bereaved families, His Excellency has assured that necessary measures would be taken to ensure that such a deadly tragedy does not recur at that particular junction,” he assured.
