A motor accident has been reported along the ever-busy and highly commercial Oron Road in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, involving a commercial bus conveying women to the rally ground to receive President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and alleged security Hilux vehicle deployed as part of the elaborate security arrangement for the presidential visit.
According to preliminary information gathered at the scene by our correspondent who visited the area shortly after the incident occurred, the unfortunate incident happened in the early hours of Friday, along one of the major and most strategic routes earmarked for the movement of the presidential convoy, advance security teams and other official entourages during the President’s highly anticipated working visit to the state.
As at the time of filing this report on Friday morning, and based on confirmation from security agencies and medical personnel on ground, no life was lost in the accident, although several occupants of the bus, mostly women, reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries, ranging from minor bruises to serious fractures, and have been taken to different hospitals within the metropolis for prompt medical attention and adequate treatment.
The accident, it was gathered, happened along the Oron Road axis, which is among the six major roads earlier announced by the Akwa Ibom State Government through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy for temporary restriction of vehicular movement, as part of measures to ensure a hitch-free, safe, secure and successful presidential visit ahead of the arrival of President Tinubu for the commissioning of landmark projects.
It was further gathered that the projects billed for commissioning during the presidential visit are landmark infrastructural projects executed under the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno’s administration, which the state government has described as critical and transformative projects that will further drive the economic and infrastructural development of the state and reposition it for greater growth.
It was gathered that the bus, which was fully loaded with women mobilized from different parts of Uyo and its environs to participate in the grand reception for the President at the Victor Attah International Airport, was en route to the airport in the early hours of the morning when it collided with the security Hilux vehicle which was said to be on routine security positioning and surveillance along the presidential corridor.
Sources at the scene, including other drivers, traders and passersby who witnessed the incident, said the bus driver was attempting to navigate through the heavy security presence, checkpoints and long queue of vehicles held up by heavily armed security operatives manning the junctions and intersections, when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly rammed into the Hilux which was reportedly making a careful turn to take a strategic position.
The impact of the collision, according to those at the scene, was quite severe and terrifying, leaving both vehicles badly damaged beyond immediate recognition, with the bus veering off the tarred road, somersaulting slightly and landing inside a deep drainage gutter by the roadside, while the Hilux suffered extensive damage to its front section, bonnet, bumper and windscreen as a result of the heavy impact.
The incident caused momentary tension, confusion, apprehension and serious traffic gridlock along the ever-busy Oron Road, as sympathizers, passersby, traders, commercial drivers and other road users rushed to the scene to assist in rescuing the victims who were trapped inside the bus and were crying for help, while also trying to control the crowd that had gathered at the scene.
Men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Nigeria Police Force, who were already deployed in large numbers along the restricted routes and other strategic locations within Uyo metropolis for the presidential visit, were said to have responded swiftly, professionally and promptly, cordoning off the accident scene, diverting traffic to alternative routes and assisting in evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
It was further gathered that the injured persons, which included several women who were part of the reception team and the driver of the bus who reportedly suffered head injuries, were rushed to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and other well-equipped medical facilities within Uyo metropolis, where they are currently receiving treatment, undergoing medical examinations and responding to medical care under close observation by medical personnel.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, when contacted for official reaction and confirmation of the incident, said the command was aware of the unfortunate incident and that its officers have been deployed to manage the situation effectively, control traffic, clear the wreckage from the road and ensure that the presidential route remains safe, clear, free and fully secured for the movement of the President and his official entourage.
Similarly, the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, through its Sector Commander, used the opportunity to caution drivers and other road users to exercise maximum patience, caution, vigilance and strict adherence to traffic regulations, speed limits and security directives, especially during the period of the presidential visit, to avoid avoidable accidents, loss of lives and unnecessary damage to property on the highways.
Meanwhile, the incident has generated serious concerns, mixed reactions and debates among residents along Oron Road and its environs, with many calling for more effective, well-coordinated traffic management, better sensitization of drivers and mobilized groups on road safety, and proper organization of reception committees on the need to prioritize safety and human lives while participating in official receptions for highly placed individuals.
Community leaders, youth leaders and stakeholders in the area also appealed passionately to the state government and organizers of the presidential reception to ensure that adequate, safe, comfortable and well-coordinated transportation arrangements, including roadworthy vehicles and trained drivers, are provided for persons mobilized for such important state functions and national assignments to prevent recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.
As at the time of this report, security has been further beefed up, strengthened and reinforced along Oron Road and other restricted routes within Uyo metropolis, while normalcy, calm and free flow of traffic has gradually returned to the affected axis as efforts continue to be intensified to ensure a hitch-free, peaceful, orderly and highly successful working visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Akwa Ibom State.
