Five persons lost their lives while 12 others were injured in a road accident along the Nkalagu section of the Enugu–Abakaliki Federal Highway in Ebonyi State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Ebonyi State, Daniel Asanya, confirmed the incident, stating that it involved a single commercial bus.
According to him, the crash occurred at Edema Bridge in Nkalagu, located in Ishielu Local Government Area, when a Toyota Hiace bus travelling from Abakaliki to Enugu was involved in an accident.
The bus, with registration number RSH 231 XE, was conveying 17 passengers, made up of 12 men, four women and one female child.
Asanya disclosed that five passengers died in the crash, comprising four adult males and the female child, while the remaining 12 occupants suffered various injuries.
He blamed the accident on overspeeding.
The FRSC boss said officials recovered three mobile phones, two sack bags containing personal effects and a quarter bag of rice from the crash scene.
He added that those injured were evacuated to Annunciation Hospital, Emene, in Enugu State for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to a morgue.
Asanya advised drivers to be more careful on the roads, especially along portions of the Enugu–Abakaliki Highway currently undergoing rehabilitation and maintenance.
He also appealed to the construction firm handling the project to install sufficient warning and reflective signs to notify motorists of ongoing work and improve safety on the highway.