By Sophia Afolabi
No fewer than six persons were killed after a speeding Toyota car rammed into traders and commercial motorcyclists at Umuikaa Junction in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The fatal crash, which occurred along the Enugu–Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway, also left seven others with varying degrees of injuries, while six motorcycles were damaged.
Eyewitnesses said the black Toyota vehicle, travelling from the Umuahia axis, reportedly lost control before veering off the road and crashing into traders at the busy junction. Many of the victims were said to be female traders going about their daily businesses.
The vehicle also struck commercial motorcyclists who had gathered at the junction to pick up passengers before finally ramming into a nearby building.
The bodies of the six victims were evacuated to a mortuary after they were confirmed dead, while those injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment.
Although the exact cause of the crash has yet to be officially determined, some residents attributed the incident to excessive speeding or a possible brake failure.
Confirming the accident, the Abia State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), C.C. Ngozi Ezeoma, simply said, “Yes, it happened at Umuikaa Junction.”
Relevant authorities are expected to commence investigations to determine the exact cause of the tragic incident.
