Tragedy struck as a Turkey returnee, Chukwuebuka Esiobi and three members of his family died in a road accident at Enugu Agidi on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Anambra State.
The accident was said to have occurred when Chukwuebuka was going back to Awka with his wife, Ngozi, their daughter, his brother and a friend after attending New Yam festival in their hometown.
Ebuka, who returned from Turkey last month after five years, and Ngozi were said to be planning their church wedding and the date had been fixed.
The accident happened around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, September 4, 2022, involving a red truck and a black Lexus RX330 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), which was conveying five persons.
They truck driver was reportedly speeding when he suddenly lost control and rammed into the Lexus SUV.
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Commander Adeoye Irelewuyi, attributed the cause of the accident to excessive speeding.
“An unidentified driver of a black Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number KJA 182 HS and an unidentified driver of a red truck with no registration number were involved in a fatal road crash at Enugu-Agidi by Awka-Enugu expressway on September 4, 2022, at about 1920hrs,” he said.
“The probable cause of the fatal crash was excessive speed. According to an eyewitness report, the truck driver was on speed, lost control and rammed into the Lexus SUV. Five people (three male adults, one female adult and one female child) were involved in the crash. Five of them were killed. FRSC rescue team from RS5.3 Anambra State Sector Command took the victims to Amaku hospital where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, and the corpses were deposited at the hospital morgue.” he added.
The deceased will be laid to rest on October 7th and 11th, 2022, in Irueri-Umuanunwa Amaokpo in Ezi Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state.
A Facebook user, Igwe, who shared more details about the tragic incident said the fifth victim who died had just returned from India after many years and was yet to see his family.
“Black Sunday for Nteje town. They were going to Awka from Nteje, after New Yam festival on 04/08/2022, and were involved in fatal accident at Nawfia. Some of them came back from abroad. One was planning to wed his wife, which is the lady and the child in the picture,” wrote.
“It was also gathered that one of them, who wasn’t from Nteje, but their friend, just came back from abroad and haven’t seen his family. He had in mind seeing his family, after the New Yam festival, before the fatal accident, that claimed their lives. None of them survived the fatal accident. May their souls rest in peace.”
Another user, Fidelis Iweka, wrote: “How can I believe that after spending out time with you people yesterday at Nteje New yam festival, after some hours,I was told that guys are dead. Ebuka my man, You left Turkey barely a month today, after spending five years hustling for survival, coming back home to meet your death. Buddy you left India coming home to your death. It is hard to bear losing four children in ewesiobi family at nteje including these innocent daughter of his and wife. Why death? This life is worthless. Rip umunnem”
