Four Travellers Die in Tipper-Bus Collision along Onitsha-Oba Expressway

By Praise Chinecherem

Four persons on Friday lost the lives while one sustained severe injury in a fatal road traffic cras along Onitsha – Oba expressway, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident involved three vehicles: a private Toyota Hummer bus with registration number UWN763XA, a government-owned Toyota Hummer bus without a registration number, and a Mercedes tipper.

Eyewitness account had it that the crash was between officers of the State Anti-Touting Squad (popularly known as SASA) and a tipper driver, with the officers attempting to block the tipper driver from front and rear.

This was corroborated by a viral video showing two crashed vehicles of SASA officers at the front and the back of the tipper, as well as the lifeless bodies of some of the victims.

Confirming the incident, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander sympathized with the deceased families.

She advised motorists against dangerous driving and route violations, especially on the expressway.

She also appealed to the public to allow FRSC teams to carry out rescue, and clearing of obstructions as any delay could cause loss of lives.

She said, “A fatal road traffic crash occurred today, 31st January 2025, on Oba Expressway, near New Road Junction.

“The incident involved three vehicles: a private Toyota Hummer bus with registration number UWN763XA, a government-owned Toyota Hummer bus without a registration number, and a Mercedes tipper.

“The probable cause of the crash was attributed to a route violation, resulting in a head-on collision.

“Five male adults were involved in the crash. Four males lost their lives, and one was injured.

“The rescue operation was carried out by Anambra State Anti-tout personnel. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) team is currently managing traffic, and the crashed vehicles have been cleared from the road, allowing for a smooth flow of traffic.

“It is important to note that the FRSC rescue team was initially hindered in performing their duties due to an attack by local youths from the Oba community who claimed the crash was caused by certain people and insisted representatives of those people before any rescue could be done.

“The team had no option than to leave but, returned after the police and other armed agencies arrived.”