There is a discrepancy between the Anambra State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) and her sister security Agency of the Police Command over the number of casualties of the accident that happened last Thursday at Akwata Junction, Awka Anambra State.
It was reported that a trailer, Mack truck with registration number PLATEAU JJN 59 YZ ladened with cows lost control and crushed various cars and People, while several others were seriously injured and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
It was observed that the truck was set ablaze alongside the cows.
In their separate reports, the Sector Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Florence Edor said only two male adults lost their lives in the multiple fatal crash.
In her report, “Eyewitness report reaching us indicates that the crash which was as a result of brake failure involved a total of (12) people, (11) Male adults and one female adult.
“One male adult who sustained injury was rushed to Princeton Hospital by FRSC rescue team from Awka, while the other two Male adults who were taken to Amaku General Hospital Awka, were later confirmed dead by Doctors on duty and their bodies deposited at the hospital morgue. Road obstruction is being cleared to ensure free flow of traffic
“The Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Anambra State, Corps Commander Adeoye A.Irelewuyi sends his condolences to the deceased families and wishes the injured victim an accelerated recovery.
“More so, he admonishes motorists to endeavour to embark on regular maintenance and ensure their vehicles meet the minimum safety requirements before putting it on the highway,” Edor said.
On their part, the State Command of the Nigeria Police announced that only eight persons lost their lives.
The Spokesperson of the Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said, “The attention of the Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a trending video clip in the social media showing restive youths setting ablaze a truck loaded with cows at Kwata junction, along Enugu/Onitsha Expressway, Awka.
“The report which neither states the cause of the incident nor action taken by the Police, other law enforcement agencies and well-meaning individuals to avert the unfortunate incident is absolutely misleading.
“This is capable of causing unwarranted tension or breach of the peace in the State and the Nation at large.
“To set the records straight, following the accident, restive youths set the affected truck ablaze despite concerted efforts by the Police & other Security Agencies to keep them at bay. They also prevented the State Fire Service from putting out the fire.
“Consequently, victims of the accident were rushed to Amaku Teaching Hospital, Awka for treatment where five persons were confirmed dead, including the driver of the truck. Three other victims are seriously injured & receiving treatment. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for post motem examination.
“Meanwhile, an investigation has commenced to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the accident and the case of arson. The Command wishes to advise members of the public (particularly youths) to exercise restraint at all times, and not take the laws into their hands.
“In view of the foregoing, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Chris Owolabi urges the public to disregard the misleading video trending online as the handwork of mischief makers.” Ikenga.
Similarly, the state government after its investigations announced that eight persons lost their lives.
The State’s Governor, Willie Obiano also directed a team of top government officials to ensure that the victims receive proper medical attention and, if necessary, take them to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, or any other hospital in the state for superior attention.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr C.Don Adinuba made this known in his release made available to newsmen.
In his words, “The Anambra State Government will pay the bills for the medical treatment of all the victims of the accident which occurred on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Akwata Junction in Awka when the driver of a truck filled with cows lost control of his vehicle and, in the process, killed eight persons and damaged some vehicles.
“Governor Obiano has also directed the high-powered team to visit families of the deceased victims as well as the owner of the cattle involved in the accident, Mr Cosmas Chibuike of Umunnachi, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, and condole with him for not only the death of the animals in the accident but also the later killing of some of the animals by the mob. Mr Chibuike has obviously suffered a double tragedy.
“The Government and people of Anambra State abhor jungle justice and all manner of mob behaviour. Such behaviour has no place in any civilized environment. Like in every decent society, there are laid down procedures that aggrieved citizens and people take.
“Persons found guilty of irresponsible conduct in respect of the tragedy of last Friday will face the consequences of their action.
“Chief Obiano has, in addition, directed the high-powered team to visit the truck driver and any persons with him in the vehicle when the accident occurred, including Mr Muhammed Ndaji from Taraba State who is receiving treatment in a top orthopaedic hospital in Awka.
“Many cows in Anambra State are jointly owned by indigenes of the state and experts from the Northern part of the country in a business arrangement popularly known as agbate eke which spells out not just the ratio of ownership but also the ratio of sharing both profit and loss.
“This business model has been in existence for several decades, and there are hardly complaints of cheating or fraud. This business relationship should be promoted in the interest of both parties as well as in the furtherance of national economic growth and unity.
“It is, therefore, regrettable that certain unpatriotic elements have been using the social media to impute all manner of meaning into the accident of last Friday, capitalizing on the current frayed ethnic, sectional and religious nerves in the country to cause mind poisoning.
“Without prejudice to the findings of the work of the panel which will look into the causes of the accident, the tragedy has underlined the critical need for big truck owners and drivers to constantly check the state of their vehicles before they set out every day with them on the road.
“They must also adhere to road safety rules like speed limit, especially in towns, cities and other places with high populations and economic activity. Drivers should also avoid stimulants like alcohol and drug.
“The Anambra State Government thanks security officers, Anambra State Fire Service officials, Anambra State Traffic Maintenance Agency as well as ordinary citizens who raced to the scene of the Akwata Junction accident and did their best to maintain law and order and take victims to different hospitals.
“Most Anambra people always live up to the true meaning of our shared humanity and our shared values.” C.Don Adinuba.
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