On Friday, September 13, a tragic road accident on the Warrake-Afuze road in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State claimed the lives of five individuals.
The crash involved a campaign vehicle belonging to Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and a private vehicle. According to DAILY POST, the victims were returning from a burial ceremony when the accident occurred.
One of the deceased has been identified as Emmanuel Edionwe. Four of the victims’ bodies have been taken to the Edo State University, Uzaurie Mortuary in Etsako West Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that the APC campaign vehicle collided with the victims’ silver Camry Sedan as they were attempting to navigate a sharp bend. Eyewitnesses have suggested that the accident might have been caused by reckless driving.
A relative of Emmanuel Edionwe, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed profound grief over the incident. “We are devastated beyond words. Emmanuel was a good, easygoing boy who should not be dead today,” they said. “He and his friends were driving in the silver Camry car. After the accident, we learned that five of them have died after the head-on collision with the APC governorship candidate’s campaign vehicle. Emmanuel and four of his friends died. Only one person survived and is in critical condition, receiving treatment at the hospital.”
According to the relative, Edionwe was later transferred to the Irrua Specialist Hospital for specialized care. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials were responsible for evacuating the bodies from the accident scene.
Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Matthew Cyril Zango, confirmed the accident but reported that only two people had died, which contradicts the five reported on social media. Zango explained that the APC campaign vehicles were traveling from Auchi to Afuze when one of them, carrying musical equipment, crashed into the silver Camry Sedan as it was trying to negotiate a bend.
“Two of the occupants of the car, who were returning from a burial ceremony, lost their lives in the crash,” he said. Zango added that he was still awaiting further updates from the Afuze unit commander of the FRSC.
