Ohafia, Abia State, was plunged into mourning on Sunday following a tragic accident involving a chippings-filled trailer, which overturned and trapped several people under its crushing weight.
The incident happened on Sunday at about 1:30pm near popular Nmuri Bridge Ebem Ohafia in Ohafia LGA Abia State.
Many of the victims pleaded for help as they endured unbearable pain, but rescue efforts were insufficient to save their lives.
In an interview with ABN TV, Chief Emeka Mba (Bam Bam), President General of the Ebem Ohafia Development Union (EODU), described the day as a “black Sunday.”
“Well, today should be regarded as a black Sunday because of the killings. As I speak to you, many people are still trapped under the truck. One of the survivors, I learned, is a lady with her two children who were sitting in front of the bus. But several others are still under the vehicle, and it’s a very helpless situation,” he said.
Chief Mba lamented the lack of emergency response equipment to move the heavy-duty truck. “We have tried everything. We could not get any equipment to lift the truck and rescue the people underneath. It’s a very ugly situation,” he explained.
When asked about the condition of the road, Chief Mba highlighted the poor state of the area and blamed the tragedy on government negligence. “That section of the road is very low, and we’ve done a lot of press and documentation to draw the government’s attention to it. This is a private road, and there should be restrictions on heavy-duty trucks using it until proper measures are put in place,” he added.
This incident has once again raised concerns about Nigeria’s failing infrastructure and lack of adequate emergency services. Many have criticized the negligence of government authorities and political office holders, which continues to result in preventable tragedies.
As the community grapples with this devastating loss, families are left mourning loved ones who have now “passed on to eternity.”
May the souls of the departed rest in peace. #BlackDayInOhafia
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