Three killed, three tricycles crushed as Anambra revenue agents chase lorry

From Emeka Chiaghanam, Awka

Three people have lost their lives and three tricycles crushed by a truck at the Onitsha River Niger Bridgehead in Anambra State.

The accident occurred when a truck popularly known as 911 carrying vegetable oil was being chased by revenue agents heading to Asaba, Delta State.  The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the tricycles, killing three passengers.

It was gathered that the revenue agents, who were said to be working for the Anambra State government, were struggling with the driver of the lorry on the steering wheel after he refused to give them money.

According to a witness, the vehicle was coming out from the Harbour Industrial Layout area of Onitsha, driving through the Julius Berger Construction Yard to connect the Niger Bridge towards Asaba, when it was accosted by the revenue agents who were forcefully demanding money from the driver.

“As soon as they jumped on the vehicle, the one on the side of the driver started struggling with the driver on the steering in bid to force him to stop and, in the process, he lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into the tricycles plying the area and instantly crushed the driver and some passengers,” the witness said.

The accident caused a serious gridlock in and out of Onitsha to Asaba. The scene of the accident is notoriously known for dangerous activities by touts against vehicles entering and exiting Onitsha.  Many drivers and conductors have been either killed or grievously wounded, while the vehicles were badly damaged by touts who operate within the area, even with the presence of security agents’ checkpoints.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) came to the scene of the accident and quickly brought their towing vehicle to lift the fallen lorry which trapped the three tricycles, preventing further casualties.