Motorists, commuters raise alarm as truck drivers block Onitsha-Asaba expressway

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

Some motorists and commuters have raised alarm over blockage of road at the Onitsha-Asaba expressway.

A commuter named Eric Alozie-Onumadu, who was travelling to Asaba on Friday informed NatureNews that some truck drivers blocked the road to protest the killing of one of their members who died in a fatal accident.

Alozie-Onumadu said that on Thursday, there was a fatal accident that claimed lives of over nine persons including one of their members in a fatal motor accident in the area.

The incident occurred at popular Upper Iweka area of the commercial city.

The truck drivers alleged that officers of the Anambra State Transport Management Agency (ATMA) caused the accident following an altercation with a truck driver.

As a result, they protested and blocked the Onitsha-Asaba expressway, resulting to a heavy traffic gridlock along the highway.

The Nation also reported that the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Utten Boyi, had in a statement said only two persons lost their lives while one was injured in the incident.

The statement reads, “A multiple fatal road traffic crash happened by down flyover upper Iweka this afternoon 13th May, 2021, at about 1201hrs.

“The crash was between unidentified driver of a Mercedes trailer with registration number SMK 728 DA, unidentified driver of a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number HTE 791 XA and unidentified driver of a Mitsubishi L300 bus with registration number NNE 138 ZF.

“Eight persons were involved in the crash comprising 5 male adults, 1 female adult and 2 male children.

“One male adult sustained serious injury and was rushed to Toronto hospital by FRSC rescue team from Upper Iweka Command, while two other male adults were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty at the same hospital and they have been deposited at the morgue.”