7 burnt beyond recognition as 11 persons perish in auto crash

The ill-fated bus.

NO fewer than 11 persons were confirmed dead, with seven burnt beyond recognition following Sunday’s multiple auto crash on Agulu Lake Bridge by Awka-Ekulobia Road in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, which confirmed the death toll said the accident involved a MACK truck, a Mitsubishi L300 with number plate, XA 857 UMN carrying about 14 passengers and another HI JET vehicle with number plate, UMZ 23 MC.

The   FRSC sector commander, in Anambra State, Adeoye Irelewuyi, while confirming the incident to reporters in Awka, said the accident occurred at about 5.00 p.m, adding that 20 persons were involved in the accident caused by wrongful overtaking and speeding.

According to him, “The crash involved a Mack truck with no number plate and a Mitsubishi L300 bus marked XA 857 UMN, carrying 14 passengers. While the third vehicle involved in the accident is a Hijet Shuttle bus with a number plate, UMZ23XC, occupied by five persons.

“A witness report indicates that the driver of the Mitsubishi bus was speeding and when he overtook wrongfully, collided with the truck and went into flames, while the shuttle bus ran into the already collided vehicles.

“Five passengers in the shuttle bus were rescued unhurt, while the passengers in the Mitsubishi bus were trapped in the fire where seven persons were burnt beyond recognition.

“Four persons comprising three male adults and a female child rescued were later confirmed dead at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Agulu, and their corpses deposited at the hospital morgue.”

The sector commander said the FRSC rescue team was on the ground to divert traffic, saying efforts were being made to evacuate the burnt bodies and clear the obstruction caused by the crash.

Corroborating FRSC, acting Sector Public Education Officer, Margaret Onabe, in a statement, said: “The injured victims were rushed to St Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi where four were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty and their corpses deposited at the hospital morgue.  

“The FRSC rescue team from Nanka was on the ground managing the situation and diverting traffic because the bridge was blocked and effort was being made to evacuate the burnt bodies. We are also waiting for the tow truck to clear obstruction caused by the crash.”

One killed as carnival turns bloody in Osun  

ONE person was killed in Igbaye town, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State after a street carnival turned bloody.

It was gathered that some youths were having carnival in the town when misunderstanding ensued between two groups in the community.

While a source claimed the crisis was linked to the community monarchy’s dispute, another resident said it was purely a celebration turned sour among youths in the town.

An eyewitness, Rasheed Damola, said the crisis started at the carnival ground after an argument ensued between two groups within the event’s venue and the situation escalated into a free-for-all.

“Some people started throwing bottles, clubs, and stones as those at the event scampered for safety. All of a sudden, some people started shooting and one person was hit in the process. He was rushed to a hospital in Okuku and died before he could be attended to.” he said.

However, another source, Atanda Adeola, claimed the remote cause behind the crisis was the issue of the community monarch, alleging that the carnival was just an excuse to reignite the division created by the dispute over the town’s royal stool.

“There is crisis over the community stool which parties have not forgotten for years. So, when the little misunderstanding at the carnival ensued between some groups, gladiators took over the crisis and started shooting at one another. One person was caught in the cross fire.” he said.

Efforts to reach the town’s traditional ruler proved abortive as his mobile number was switched off.

Meanwhile, Osun police command spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, while confirming the incident said police had been deployed to restore normalcy in the troubled community.

She did not confirm the casualty figure but said police had restored law and order in the town and were still keeping watch.

Bus plunges into Lagos lagoon, baby dead others injured

Tragedy struck, on December 27 in Lagos, after a 17- seater commercial bus plunged into the lagoon, at Oworoshoki area of the state, where a child drowned before help could come.

Other passengers were rescued by members of the community.

It was gathered that the passengers were on their way to the palace of a traditional ruler when the bus skidded off its lane and plunged into the lagoon.

The incident disrupted the Christmas celebration as some youths, who were having a party, joined three fishermen close by to rescue the victims.

Policemen from Oworoshoki division later joined members of the community in the rescue operation. Some of the rescued passengers, who sustained injuries were taken to hospital.

An eyewitness, Ms Sadia Adefarati, said sympathisers and residents had done the needful before the arrival of emergency agencies, saying: “Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, personnel in the area tried their best but were hindered by lack of equipment. Thank God for some residents of the community, who left what they were doing to rescue the passengers. All the passengers have been rescued except a baby who was recovered dead. As I speak, only the Vanagon bus is still in the canal.”    

South West Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed the incident.

He said, “ All passengers but a child were rescued by members   of the community.”

Ghanaian returnee on the run over girlfriend’s death

A Ghanaian returnee simply identified as Osas is presently on the run after allegedly killing his girlfriend, Elohor Oniorosa, on Christmas Eve in Benin, Edo State.

The incident was said to have taken place around the Egor area of the state capital.

 According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bello Kontongs, the father of the deceased William Oniorosa reported the case to the police and an investigation was on to arrest the suspect.

He said: “The suspect's name is Osas and his surname is unknown who is a boyfriend of Elohor Oniorosa, daughter of one William Oniorosa who also reported the incident to the police.  

“Investigation is on while the suspect is on the run. The incident happened on the 24/12/2021.” 

It was gathered that the suspect returned from Ghana a week ago and allegedly slaughtered his girlfriend in Benin.

Culled from Vanguard