A devastating incident occurred in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, when a flour-loaded truck being chased by military personnel crashed into shops at Utu Etim Ekpo, killing three people, including a lawyer, and injuring several others.
The truck driver allegedly refused to stop at a military checkpoint at Nkwot Ikot Ebo on the Iwukem-Etim Ekpo-Abak Road, prompting a high-speed pursuit by the soldiers.
Eyewitnesses reported that the truck, traveling from Iwukem towards Abak, sped past the soldiers’ roadblock, leading to the chaotic chase. Unfortunately, the driver lost control of the vehicle, veering off the road and crashing into nearby shops, resulting in the fatalities and extensive damage.
Incident Details:
- Date and Time: Monday, around 8 p.m.
- Location: Utu Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
- Fatalities: Three, including a lawyer
- Injuries: Several
Locals blamed the alarming fatalities on the poor construction of the roundabout in the area, which has claimed several lives in the past.
A civil engineer described the spot as having “poor and irregular road alignment by the contractors,” accusing a prominent politician in Etim Ekpo of colluding with government officials to compromise the original road design during its construction years back.
Source: Vanguard
The incident has sparked outrage, with many calling for accountability and improved road safety measures.
