Panic and sorrow gripped the Chisco Park Junction area in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday night, as a trailer reportedly suffered brake failure and ploughed into a crowd of unsuspecting pedestrians, killing several and injuring others.
The fatal incident occurred around 9:30pm, at a busy part of the town where residents and travelers were engaged in their routine night-time business and transportation activities. Eyewitnesses said the driver of the trailer lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and rammed into people gathered near the roadside.
Disturbing footage from the Amichi City-wide CCTV system captured the horrifying moment, showing several victims sprawled on the ground as passersby rushed to assist the injured before emergency responders arrived. The chaotic aftermath also showed residents screaming in distress and attempting to rescue survivors.
One eyewitness, identified simply as Uche, described the incident as sudden and devastating.
“The crash, which happened around 9:30pm, was so sudden that most people didn’t even see the trailer coming,” Uche said. “It hit those doing their regular night trading, passengers waiting to board vehicles, okada riders, even a little girl. It was a terrible scene.”
According to him, the trailer mowed down dozens, with some managing to escape when they noticed the truck’s erratic movement. However, many of the victims, including bystanders and traders, were caught off guard and couldn’t escape.
The exact number of casualties remains unclear as of the time of filing this report. However, several lifeless bodies were seen on the ground, with the severely injured taken to nearby hospitals by good Samaritans and later, emergency services.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State, Margaret Onabe, said investigations are ongoing.
“Yes, we received reports of the accident. However, detailed information on the crash and the casualty figures is still being compiled. An official statement will be released once all facts are confirmed,” Onabe stated on Saturday.
The tragic incident has once again raised concerns over the poor maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations across the country.
