TELL Magazine

Tragedy struck at Okpella, Etsako East local government area of Edo State on Monday evening as five persons were killed in a multiple motor accident involving an articulated truck coming from the Lokoja – Okene Road, a commercial bus, and a Toyota Camry car. Two persons sustained severe injuries in the unfortunate incident.

An eyewitness said the accident occurred following the trailer’s suspected brake failure thus crashing into the Toyota Camry, and the commuter bus at a market.

Corroborating the eyewitness account, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) Paul Okpe, said the accident “involved a truck that came from the hill, a bus and a Toyota Camry”.

According to Okpe, operatives of the FRSC conveyed both the dead and the injured passengers to the hospital for medical attention. He said the accident could be attributed to many factors, adding “It could be as a result of brake failure from the truck, or the driver was sleeping, or other factors” which investigation will establish”. He however cautioned road users to be very careful, especially in the “ember” months of the year by ensuring that their vehicles are road-worthy.

In her reaction, the Chairman of Etsako East local government council, Benedicta Attoh, commiserated with the families of the victims, as well as the people of Okpella. Attoh, in a statement signed by her chief press secretary, Ben Atu, and sincerely sympathised with the families of the dead and prayed for a quick recovery for the injured.

Part of the statement reads:

“It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives in a fatal motor accident along the Ewo Market Road in Okpella today Monday, September 25th, 2023. Indeed, their deaths have caused great sorrow for their families.

“I wish to let the families of the victims know that our thoughts and prayers are with them in this moment of grief. It is not the will of God that we die before our time, but when something like this happens, who can question God.

“On behalf of Etsako East Local Government Council, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of our departed brothers and sisters. Their untimely death has undoubtedly caused great pain to their families and I pray that such tragedy will never occur again in Jesus name, Amen.

“May God grant the families and loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and may their souls rest in peace”.