Four Killed, Nine Injured in Anambra Multi-Vehicle Crash
Four women were killed and nine others injured in a multi-vehicle crash at Agulu Lake along the Nanka-Agulu axis of the Awka–Ekwulobia Road in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday evening.
The victims were said to be returning from a burial ceremony when the accident occurred around 6:18pm.
Eyewitnesses said the driver of the vehicle conveying the passengers lost control while descending the hilly stretch towards a narrow bridge, leading to a collision involving other vehicles.
One of the eyewitnesses said, “The driver was descending the road when the vehicle failed brakes and he lost control, thereby plunging into the crash, killing some people, mostly women, instantly and injuring others.
“The accident occurred at about 7pm on Friday. From their attire, the victims were returning from a burial ceremony. Some community members carried out first emergency response before officials arrived at the scene.
“The road is very narrow and the absence of an alternative bridge that would allow vehicles ascending and descending the hilly stretch to use separate lanes is always causing traffic crashes along that corridor.”
The Anambra State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the incident on Saturday.
The Sector Public Education Officer, Margaret Onabe, said the crash involved four vehicles: a Toyota Hiace with registration number HAL676YG, a trailer with no registration number, a shuttle bus with registration number UKP274YA, and a Toyota Hilux with no registration number.
She said the crash occurred at 18:18 hours on Friday and was caused by excessive speed and loss of control.
“A fatal road traffic crash occurred on February 27, 2026, at Agulu Lake, Nanka-Agulu road. The probable cause was speed and loss of control.
“There were no eyewitnesses to the crash, as all the drivers fled the scene.
“However, according to observations by the FRSC rescue team from Nanka outpost, it was noted that the vehicle was descending the hill at high speed, lost control and collided with three other vehicles.
“The total number of people involved was 19, comprising six male adults, 10 female adults and three male children. Nine people, comprising two male adults, four female adults and three male children, were injured, while four female adults were killed,” she stated.
She added that the injured victims were taken to St Joseph Hospital, Adazi, for treatment, while the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue.
An alternative route was created to ease traffic flow.
The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, commiserated with the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
She urged motorists to prioritise safety and drive cautiously to prevent avoidable crashes.
“Drive safely to stay alive; safety is everyone’s responsibility,” she added.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
