The Government of Anambra State has denied allegations of activities of its revenue agents being responsible for the recent tragic road accident involving a trailer and other vehicles that sadly caused loss of lives at the Eke Awgbu area of the state.

While also expressing its sympathy and condolences to the victims and families affected by the unfortunate incident, the government categorically debunks the baseless and malicious claims being circulated by certain opposition elements suggesting that the accident was caused by revenue agents of the state, derogatorily referred to as “Soludo Boys.” These assertions are found to be false and unsubstantiated.

Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Governor Soludo, in a statement sent to Nationwide Reports, said preliminary investigation has been conducted by the Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue, and the findings indicates that the accident was caused by a trailer carrying cement that experienced brake failure while descending the slope at Eke Awgbu, leading to the tragic crash.

“This is a matter of mechanical failure and not the result of any actions by state revenue agents, as falsely alleged.

“It is deeply regrettable that instead of focusing on the real issues and contributing to public safety, certain desperate opposition figures have continued to exploit tragic incidents for political gain by peddling propaganda against the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR.

“Drivers are hereby advised to always observe safe driving practices, especially on how to handle slopes descent, the dangers of driving under the influence, alcohol, the importance of avoiding distractions such as mobile phone usage while driving, and the necessity of regular vehicle maintenance checks, are crucial for preventing such tragedies in the future.

“The Soludo administration remains committed to improving the safety and well-being of all Anambra State residents, and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our roads are safe and that such incidents are minimised through proactive measures and public education campaigns,” Aburime stated.

Nationwide Reports recall that the fatal road traffic crash which involved a truck loaded with cement occurred on Tuesday at Green Energy Oil and Gas filling station at Eke Awgbu in Orumba North local government area of Anambra State, killing five people.

The truck belonging to BUA, with no registration number, hit many vehicles as the driver lost control and eventually crashed.

A commercial tricycle with registration number: NZH84LG, a commercial QLINK motorcycle with registration number OLU245QV and a private Honda motorcycle with no registration number, were involved in the accident.

Reacting to the accident, Ag Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in Anambra State, Margaret Onabe confirmed that five people, four males and one female, were killed instantly, while the injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment.

According to Onabe, the probable cause of the fatal road traffic crash was either excessive speed or brake failure.

Onabe in a statement said: “According to an eyewitness, the driver of the truck was on speed, had a brake failure, lost control of the vehicle, and collided with the other vehicles at a checkpoint and crashed.

“Eleven persons were involved in the crash comprising nine male adults, and two female adults. Five male adults and one female adult sustained varying degrees of injury, while four male adults and one female adult were killed.”

She said that before the arrival of the FRSC rescue team from RS5.35 Igboukwu, the injured victims were already rushed to the Referral Health Centre, Awgbu by passersby, while the dead victims were deposited at St Joseph’s Hospital mortuary, Adazi.

She added that the rescue team had managed the traffic in the area by ensuring that the obstruction caused by the crash was cleared.

The Sector Commander FRSC, Adeoye Irelewuyi, has commiserated with the families of the dead victims and urged motorists to exercise restrained while driving.