Two die in Abia auto crash

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Abia State, Mrs. Ngozi Ezeoma, has confirmed a road accident that claimed the lives of a tricycle operator and his female passenger on Tuesday.

The fatal accident occurred at the notorious “Sign Board” junction near Ubani Market in Umuahia, the state capital.

Ezeoma, who described the incident as “tragic and sad”, added that it happened barely hours after another fatal crash at Opobo Road in Aba, where a motorcycle rider was knocked down by a tricycle and subsequently crushed by an oncoming truck. The tricycle rider also fled the scene.

She added that three similar accidents had occurred at the same “Sign Board” junction in 2025, resulting in multiple deaths.

She said, “I reiterated our call on motorists and all road users in the state to strictly obey traffic rules and regulations to prevent avoidable loss of lives.

“We urged drivers, especially those of heavy-duty vehicles and tricycles, to exercise caution, avoid overspeeding, and be more careful at dangerous junctions.

“The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited at a mortuary in Umuahia, while efforts are ongoing to trace the fleeing truck driver.”

According to an eyewitness account, the tricycle operator and his female passenger were killed on Tuesday evening when a speeding truck crushed their tricycle along the Umuahia-Ubani-Uzuakoli Road in the state.

An eyewitness who identified himself only as Uche said the truck was moving at high speed when it rammed into the tricycle, throwing the smaller vehicle under the truck and killing both occupants on the spot.

The eyewitness said the driver of the truck fled the scene immediately after realising that the two victims were dead.