6 Dead, 14 injured in ghastly accident on Nkalagu-Enugu expressway

Six persons have been confirmed dead while 14 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal motor accident that occurred at the weekend along the Nkalagu axis of the Abakaliki–Enugu Expressway.

The accident, which happened close to the Nkalagu overhead bridge, involved a commercial Toyota bus and a truck.

Henry Igwe, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi State, confirmed the incident. He said 22 people were involved in the crash, attributing it to dangerous overtaking.

Igwe disclosed that the victims were immediately evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment.

According to him, “Some of the injured victims were taken to Annunciation and Orthopaedic Hospitals in Enugu by our officers and the Red Cross, while others were taken to the General Hospital, Ezzamgbo, in Ebonyi State.”

A resident of Nkalagu, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the Enugu–Nkalagu Expressway as “the most dangerous road to ply,” blaming its design and poor construction for the recurring accidents.

He said, “The road is very dangerous because of its one-way nature and the hard concrete central demarcation, which doesn’t allow vehicles to manoeuvre or dodge reckless drivers. Since 2019 when former Governor David Umahi began the dualisation of the Enugu–Abakaliki Expressway with a flyover at Nkalagu junction, the 1km stretch from the Enugu–Nkalagu boundary to the junction has remained incomplete and blocked.

“The central demarcation worsens the situation, leaving vehicles with no option during emergencies. Hardly a month passes without an accident on this road. Residents living across the expressway struggle to access their homes due to the blockade.”

He lamented the repeated loss of lives on the axis, calling on the federal and state governments to expedite action on the completion of the project to prevent further tragedies.