16 passengers die in road accident

A lone accident that occurred along Enugu-Opi Nsukka Road in Enugu State has claimed the lives of 16 passengers.

The victims, 13 males, and two females, were burnt beyond recognition on Wednesday evening.

The accident, involving an 18-seater white-colored Toyota Hummer bus with a Bauchi State registration number DAS 215 XA and the inscription “Masha Allah”, was blamed on excessive speed after which the vehicle lost control and plunged into the fence of Maduka University.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, made this known in a statement shared on the Enugu State Police Command X.com handle.

The statement read, “The Enugu State Police Command wishes to inform the public that a lone fatal motor accident occurred today along Enugu-Opi Nsukka Road in Enugu State.

“A preliminary investigation reveals that the vehicle unfortunately burst into flames burning beyond recognition, the 16 deceased individuals, who were taken to the hospital and confirmed dead. However, two other passengers were rescued alive and taken to the hospital for medical attention by police officers, soldiers, and public-spirited citizens, who immediately responded to the incident.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, in the company of officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, has visited the scene to assess the situation.”