Vehicle plunges into river in Ebonyi crash, three dead and two injured

By Jeff Agbodo

ABAKALIKI — A fatal multi‑vehicle collision on the Abakaliki‑Enugu Expressway on Thursday claimed three lives and left two people injured at the Ezillo Bridge in Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

The incident involved a Toyota Sienna bus, two commercial buses and a Toyota RAV4; the Sienna is said to have plunged into the river following the crash.

Eyewitnesses reported that the collision happened near the bridge, causing one vehicle to veer off the road and plunge into the river below.

An eyewitness described the scene as horrific and voiced concerns about the bridge’s condition and the delay in finishing a second bridge nearby.

“It was a terrible accident. The Sienna vehicle overtook us near the local government headquarters before the collision occurred at the bridge. Two buses and a Toyota RAV4 were involved. The existing bridge has become a death trap,” the witness said.

He said the Sienna had left Abakaliki heading to Enugu, carrying a full load of passengers and goods at the time of the crash.

The witness added that the vehicle’s occupants were trapped after it fell into the river while rescue operations continued.

The Ebonyi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident and said that further details would be released later.

The FRSC sector commander for the state, Daniel Nnamdi Asanya, also confirmed that three vehicles were involved.

He blamed the crash on wrongful overtaking on the road’s narrow section.

“It was a case of wrongful overtaking. One of the vehicles, in an attempt to avoid a head‑on collision, plunged into the river,” Asanya said.

The FRSC commander said seven people were involved, with three confirmed dead, two injured, and two escaping unhurt.

“Three people died, two sustained injuries, while two others came out without injuries,” he stated.

Asanya lamented the rising incidence of reckless driving on Nigerian roads and urged motorists to exercise patience and obey traffic rules.

“The message we continue to preach is that drivers should avoid reckless driving. Wrongful overtaking and speeding remain major causes of road crashes. If motorists maintain moderate speed, they will have a better chance of controlling their vehicles when they encounter