Ohafia, Abia State, was plunged into mourning on Sunday afternoon following a devastating accident that claimed several lives. A trailer filled with chippings overturned near the popular Nmuri Bridge in Ebem Ohafia, trapping numerous individuals under its massive weight. The incident, which occurred around 1:30 p.m., has left the community in shock and sorrow.
According to reports, many of the victims could be heard pleading for help as they struggled beneath the vehicle, but despite efforts from onlookers and rescue teams, their lives could not be saved. Chief Emeka Mba (Bam Bam), the President General of the Ebem Ohafia Development Union (EODU), described the event as a “black Sunday” for the town.
“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. I learned that one of the survivors is a lady with her two children sitting in front of the bus. But several others are still under the vehicle, and it’s a very helpless situation,” Chief Mba said in an interview with ABN TV.
Rescue efforts were hampered by a lack of proper equipment to lift the heavy-duty truck. Chief Mba expressed frustration, stating that despite their best attempts, no suitable machinery was available to aid in freeing the trapped victims. “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.
The poor state of the road, a longstanding issue, has also been blamed for the tragedy. Chief Mba highlighted that the area where the accident occurred is particularly low and has been the subject of previous complaints. He accused the government of negligence, emphasizing that such roads should have restricted access for heavy-duty trucks. “This is private road, and heavy-duty trucks should be restricted until proper measures are put in place,” he said.
The incident has raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, with many criticizing the government for its failure to address these issues adequately. As families and the community come to terms with the tragic loss, questions remain about the country’s preparedness to prevent such avoidable disasters.
The people of Ohafia are now left to mourn the loss of loved ones who have tragically passed on, as the call for improved infrastructure and emergency services grows louder.
