Tragic Abia road crash kills one officer, leaves eight others injured

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Abia State has confirmed the death of an officer from the “Operation Crush” Joint Task Force following a tragic accident on Sunday. 

The crash occurred at Isieke along the Umuahia-Bende Road, when the task force vehicle reportedly lost control due to brake failure.

FRSC Sector Commander, Ngozi Ezeoma, stated that eight other officers sustained injuries in the incident. The injured personnel include members of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The Sector Commander stated, “The fatal crash occurred Sunday night at the Isieke junction along the Umuahia-Bende Road, where the vehicle veered off the road and fell inside a ditch due to brake failure. Before the FRSC could arrive at the scene, the police had already moved the injured to the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia for treatment.

“The eight officers who were rescued are receiving medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia and the dead has been taken to the morgue,” she said, appealing to motorists to avoid excessive speed, drunk-driving and always endeavour to check the condition of their vehicles, especially their brakes, before embarking on a journey.

Otti, who sent his condolences to the leadership of the state Joint Security Command and the family of the dead officer, said the state government had taken the surviving victims to the hospital for the best medical attention, while describing the incident as “sad and unfortunate”, regretting that life was lost.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, in a statement he issued on Monday, “Governor Otti while condoling with the joint command and the family of the deceased officer, assured them that his government would ensure that the injured ones receive the best of medical attention to ensure they recuperate as quickly as possible.”