12 d!e, 8 injured in fatal imo road crash

Twelve persons, including four children, have lost their lives while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a road accident that occurred along the Owerri–Onitsha Road Hill in Imo State.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2025, shortly after Njaba Bridge.

Confirming the tragedy in a statement on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Henry Okoye, said the crash involved a gas tanker truck with registration number T 16716 LA, bearing the inscription “NUPENG,” and a commuter bus marked ABB 79 BX.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker driver was driving against traffic when it collided head-on with the bus transporting members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church from Anambra State to Agwa community in Imo.

“Regrettably, twelve persons lost their lives in the accident — eight adults and four children — while eight others sustained injuries,” Okoye stated.

He disclosed that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at Ogbaku Mortuary, while the injured were rushed to Divine Hospital, Awo-Omamma, where they are receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of the survivors.

He also cautioned motorists against reckless practices such as driving against traffic, overspeeding, and negligence, which he described as the leading causes of fatal accidents in the state.

The command assured that a thorough investigation into the crash had commenced and urged members of the public with useful information to reach out to the police via 08148024755 or 08034773600.