A tragic accident in Utu Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State, has left three people dead, including a lawyer, and many others severely injured after a flour-laden truck, pursued by Nigerian soldiers, lost control and crashed into a row of shops.
The fatal crash took place around 8 p.m. on Monday along the Iwukem-Etim Ekpo-Abak Road.
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The truck, reportedly traveling from Iwukem towards Abak, was signaled to stop at a military checkpoint near Nkwot Ikot Ebo. However, the driver ignored the soldiers’ order and sped off, prompting a high-speed chase.
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene as the soldiers attempted to overtake the truck, but the driver continued accelerating dangerously. The truck, unable to slow down due to its speed, barreled down a slope towards the roundabout, causing the soldiers to scramble for safety. In a desperate attempt to control the vehicle, the driver swerved off the road, crashing into several makeshift shops near the motor park.
Eyewitness Accounts and Local Reactions
Eno Umanah, a motorcyclist and an eyewitness, recounted the harrowing moments before the crash:
“The truck, loaded with flour, was flagged down by soldiers, but the driver refused to stop. As the soldiers chased after it, the truck picked up even more speed. It was impossible for the driver to safely navigate the roundabout, leading to the tragic collision that claimed three lives, including that of a lawyer whose identity is yet to be confirmed.”
Akaninyene Umanah, another resident, expressed concern over the increasing number of fatalities on the Iwukem-Etim Ekpo-Abak Road. He noted that over 70 people have died on that stretch of road, including churchgoers returning from a convention and travelers.
Many locals believe that the high death toll is linked to poor road construction, particularly the dangerously designed roundabout. A civil engineer familiar with the area described the road alignment as “irregular and poorly executed,” alleging that a prominent politician from Etim Ekpo had influenced changes to the original road design during its construction.
Survivor’s Ordeal and Medical Response
One female survivor sustained severe leg injuries in the crash. However, her ordeal was worsened by delays in receiving medical treatment. She was initially turned away by two local hospitals—Divine Love Hospital in Utu Ikot Imonte and the Utu Etim Ekpo Government Hospital—before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), about 45 minutes away from the crash site.
The incident has sparked outrage among the local community, with many demanding a review of the road’s design and improved emergency response in the area.
Residents are calling for a thorough investigation into the role of the soldiers in the high-speed chase and the influence of local politicians on the road’s faulty design. The tragic loss of life has intensified demands for better traffic management and safer road infrastructure in Etim Ekpo LGA.
Local authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while the identities of the deceased are still being verified.
