The Imo State Police Command has begun an investigation into the death of 12 members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in a fatal motor accident along the Owerri-Onitsha Road hill, after the Njaba Bridge.
However, the Chairman of Oguta LGA, Ifeanyi Nnani, stated that the victims were 15 members, all from the Agwa Community.
The Imo State Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, on Wednesday, stated that the accident occurred on Sunday, at about 9pm.
Okoye said the police had launched an investigation into the fatal motor accident that occurred Sunday, at about 2100 hours.
According to him, the accident involved a gas tanker truck with registration number T 16716 LA, bearing the inscription NUPENG, which was driving against traffic (one-way), and a commuter bus with registration number ABB 79 BX, transporting members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses from Anambra State to Agwa village in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
Confirming the accident on Tuesday, Okoye said 12 people died, saying, “Regrettably, 12 persons lost their lives in the accident, eight adults and four children, while eight persons were injured. The deceased have been evacuated and deposited at the Ogbaku Mortuary, while the injured persons are receiving treatment at the Divine Hospital, Awo-Omamma.
The wreckage on the road has been cleared and free flow of traffic restored by a team of police personnel led by the DPO of Awo-Omamma in synergy with Federal Road Safety Corps personnel.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, expresses deep condolences to the bereaved families, wishes the injured persons a quick recovery, and warns motorists against reckless practices such as driving against traffic, excessive speeding, and negligence, which remain leading causes of fatal road accidents. He urges all road users to prioritise safety, obey traffic regulations, and drive responsibly to safeguard lives and property”, he said.
While mourning the victims, Nnani described the crash as a “dark moment for the community.”
According to him, all the victims hailed from Agwa Community and were returning from the annual Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Assembly Convention in Uli, Anambra State, when tragedy struck around 6:45 p.m.
In a statement by his aide, Desmond Orum, he said he “received with a heavy heart the news of the accident that took away the lives of over 10 persons from Agwa Community along the Onitsha-Owerri Road this evening on their way back home to Agwa after their successful Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Assembly Convention at Uli, Anambra State.
“Oguta Local Government Area has once again witnessed another dark moment, very tragic and sorrowful. These pathetic incidents have once more reminded the people of Oguta, and Agwa, of the intense sorrow that took away the lives of Agwa people suddenly in the past.
“While consoling the entire Agwa Community over the loss, the Executive Chairman also wants to, in a special way, extend his profound condolences to the immediate family members that suddenly lost their beloved ones to these unforeseen circumstances.”
Nnani prayed for strength and comfort for the bereaved families, adding: “May God Almighty comfort and provide for the immediate families, and strengthen them, mainly during this dark and mourning period. May their souls and the souls of other faithful departed, through the mercies of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
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