A tragic event unfolded on Monday evening along Ewo Market Road in Okpella, within the jurisdiction of Etsako East Local Government Area in Edo State. The incident, a catastrophic collision, claimed the lives of no less than five individuals.
The unfortunate incident involved a trailer and a commercial bus. The trailer was making its descent from the Lokoja-Okene road when it collided with the bus, which was fully occupied at the time.
An onlooker at the scene reported that the trailer’s brakes failed, causing it to crash into a Toyota bus. This resulted in the death of 15 passengers. The deceased were transported to the morgue, while those injured were promptly taken to the hospital for medical care.
Hon. Benedicta Attoh, the Chairperson of Etsako East Local Government, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Okpella community following this tragic event.
In a statement released by her Chief Press Secretary, she conveyed her profound sympathy for the families of the victims and prayed earnestly for the quick recovery of those injured.
She stated, “It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives in a fatal motor accident along the Ewo Market Road in Okpella on Monday, September 25th, 2023.”
She continued, “Indeed, their deaths have caused great sorrow for their families. I wish to let the families of the victims know that our thoughts and prayers are with them in this moment of grief. It is not the will of God that we die before our time, but when something like this happens, who can question God”.
She further added, “On behalf of Etsako East Local Government Council, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of our departed brothers and sisters. Their untimely death has undoubtedly caused great pain to their families and I pray that such tragedy will never occur again in Jesus name, Amen. May God grant the families and loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and may their souls rest in peace, amen,”
