Prospective NYSC member dies in Ebonyi road crash, 11 others hospitalised

A tragic road accident in Ebonyi State on Wednesday claimed the life of a prospective member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and left 11 others injured.

The incident occurred in Amenu community, Okposi, when a 14-seater bus belonging to Enugu North Mass Transit collided with a parked truck. The bus was carrying 12 prospective corps members en route to the NYSC orientation camp in Afikpo, Afikpo Local Government Area, for the three-week program under the 2024 Batch C Stream II.

Witnesses reported that the deceased, a female corps member whose identity has not been revealed, died from injuries sustained in the crash. One bystander recounted, “The bus was carrying 12 corps members and other passengers. The accident happened in Amenu, and unfortunately, one female died. Others sustained injuries.”

The injured were quickly assisted by bystanders and security personnel before being taken to the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) for treatment. A hospital source confirmed their admission, saying, “They were brought in during the evening and are responding to treatment.”

The accident overshadowed the commencement of the orientation program, with victims having departed Enugu earlier that day to attend the camp in Afikpo.

The Ebonyi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Igwe Henry, confirmed the incident but stated that no specific details of casualties were available as the victims had already been rescued when his officers arrived at the scene.

Henry provided further details, saying, “The accident occurred on January 22, at around 2:00 PM, along the Amasiri-Okiigwe route, near Amenu village in Okposi. The two vehicles involved were a grey Toyota commercial bus and a Mercedes-Benz tipper truck.”

The FRSC’s preliminary findings suggest that excessive speed may have contributed to the crash, though further specifics on the casualties have not been confirmed. Items recovered from the scene are reportedly in the custody of Chief Amos of Amenu village.

At King David’s Hospital, where some of the injured were taken, the victims were described as being in stable condition.

The Ebonyi State NYSC Coordinator, Foluke Oladeinde, also confirmed the accident, though she was visibly distressed and unable to provide additional details. She stated, “I am not in a right frame of mind to talk now. I am at the hospital. Yes, the accident occurred, but I cannot provide more information right now.”