At least three people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries after a trailer carrying a 40-foot container toppled and crushed three tricycles at Mgbaemene Bus Stop, near Upper Iweka, along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Anambra State.
The tragic incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Eyewitnesses said the trailer driver was attempting to navigate a badly damaged section of the road filled with potholes when he lost control, causing the container to fall onto the tricycles, trapping passengers inside.
Residents, motorists, and passers-by immediately began rescue efforts, pulling out several victims, some of whom were lifeless. The accident sparked outrage among locals, who protested by setting up a bonfire on the road to express their frustration over the poor state of the highway.
Security operatives, including officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the police, later arrived to manage the situation and disperse the angry crowd.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the FRSC in Anambra State, Margaret Onabe, said the victims trapped under the trailer were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Onabe stated, “The FRSC RS5.31A Upper Iweka Outpost responded to a fatal crash on the Owerri-Onitsha Road at approximately 8:20 a.m. today (Thursday). The crash involved a tricycle and a trailer, resulting in the deaths of two adult males. A total of four male adults were involved, with two others rescued uninjured.”
She added that both the tricycle and the trailer lacked registration numbers, and that eyewitnesses blamed the crash on the deplorable state of the road.
According to Onabe, an FRSC towing vehicle was deployed to lift the trailer off the tricycles, clearing the wreckage and restoring the free flow of traffic.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Anambra, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, expressed sadness over the incident and sympathized with the families of the victims.
“The FRSC is deeply saddened by the loss of lives in this unfortunate crash. We urge all road users to exercise caution and obey traffic rules to prevent such tragedies. Our team responded promptly to the scene, and we will continue to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure safer roads,” she said.
Asekhauno also commended the police for their swift response and cooperation during the rescue operation.
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Source:Africa Publicity
