Take a fresh look at your lifestyle.

Anambra govt denies any involvement in auto crash that claimed 7 lives

97

Over seven people lost their lives in a fatal auto crash in Anambra state when a lorry collided with six vehicles along Oba Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

The accident occurred around 9am on Sunday in the Idemili South local government area.

This medium gathered that a trailer lost control due to brake failure and crashed into four vehicles, including two tricycles, pushing them and some of their occupants into a ditch.

According to eyewitness account, the tricycles were stopped by Anambra State tax collectors at the time of the accident.

Amaka, an eyewitness, described the scene, “The accident occurred this morning when the collectors stopped the tricycles to ask for money. While this was happening, the truck that was coming in the opposite direction and whose brakes had already failed crashed into the two tricycles, thus pushing them into a nearby ditch. While some of the victims fell into the ditch, others were run over by the truck. It was a terrible sight to behold.”

Also, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra State, Adeoye Irelewuyi, confirmed the incident in a brief statement, indicating ongoing investigations and noting local protests in response to the tragedy.

Meanwhile, Anambra State government has denied that it’s revenue officials in Oba was involved in the accident.

In a statement signed by the spokesman of the governor, Mr Christian Aburime said the allegation that Anambra State revenue officers were involved in the accident is completely untrue.

According to Aburime, the cause of the accident has been traced to a vehicular brake failure of a truck sloping down to Oba and Onitsha from Owerri axis, leading to the multiple accidents and the associated fatalities.

The statement reads, “The Anambra State Government has addressed the recent tragic accident involving multiple vehicles at Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area. While extending sympathies to the families affected by this unfortunate incident, the state government denied the involvement of its revenue officials in activities leading to it.

“It has come to our attention that certain individuals are spreading false information, claiming that the accident was caused by the operations of Anambra State government revenue officials.

“We categorically state that this allegation is completely untrue. Government revenue officials do not conduct operations on Sundays, and they were not present at the scene of the accident.

“The cause of the accident has been traced to a vehicular brake failure of a truck sloping down to Oba and Onitsha from Owerri axis, leading to the multiple accidents and the associated fatalities.

“Moreover, the government revenue service has not authorised anyone or agent for the purposes of revenue collection on the highways, either on State or Federal roads, not to mention weekends.

“All government revenue partners can be identified with identification cards and numbers, and the public is entitled to request for the photograph shots of all government revenue agents and field officers for authentication purposes.

“The public is hereby advised to call any of the following telephone lines if anyone has reasons to doubt or suspect the authenticity of any state government revenue personnel: 07066727750, 09053234816, 090166905784, 08083066051, 08178070000.

“However, Governor Soludo has vowed that, aside the mechanical factor of brake failure, illegal agents found operating on the highways within the State will be arrested and prosecuted

“As always, Anambra State Government under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.”