At least 12 people, including four children, have died after a gas tanker rammed into a bus conveying members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church in Imo State.
The tragic crash occurred on Tuesday along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway and also left eight others injured.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, Imo State Police Command spokesperson Henry Okoye said the tanker, marked T 16716 LA and bearing the inscription NUPENG, was driving against traffic when it collided with the bus transporting church members from Anambra to Agwa community in Imo.
According to Okoye, the bodies of the victims have been deposited at Ogbaku Mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Divine Hospital, Awo-Omamma. He added that police and road safety officials worked swiftly to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow.
“Regrettably, twelve persons lost their lives in the accident—eight adults and four children—while eight persons were injured,” Okoye said, noting that an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, extended condolences to the bereaved families and urged motorists to desist from reckless driving, especially driving against traffic.
