12 die, 8 injured in gas tanker–bus collision in Imo
Twelve people, including four children, have died following a collision between a gas tanker and a commuter bus on the Owerri–Onitsha expressway in Imo State.
The Imo State Police Command said the accident occurred on Tuesday when the gas tanker, with registration number T 16716 LA and marked with the inscription NUPENG, drove against traffic and collided with the bus.
The bus was conveying members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church from Anambra State to Agwa community in Oguta Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson Henry Okoye confirmed that eight adults and four children lost their lives, while eight others sustained injuries. The deceased were taken to Ogbaku Mortuary, and the injured are receiving treatment at Divine Hospital, Awo-Omamma.
He added that the wreckage had been cleared, and normal traffic flow restored through the joint efforts of police personnel and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
“Regrettably, twelve persons lost their lives in the accident—eight adults and four children—while eight others were injured. 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 Road Safety personnel,” Okoye said.
The Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and advised motorists to avoid dangerous practices such as driving against traffic. He also confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway.
