By Prosper Mene
A devastating road accident along the Eliozu-Rumuokoro Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has claimed the lives of a University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) student, an infant, and one other person.
The incident, which occurred on Monday near the Eliozu Flyover, involved a UNIPORT shuttle bus colliding with a stationary truck, leaving the community in mourning and raising concerns about road safety.
The UNIPORT student, identified as Silvia Oko, a 300-level Economics undergraduate, was among the victims confirmed dead at the scene. The state commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Inyang Umoh, reported that two females and a child were found deceased by responders, with overspeeding identified as the primary cause of the crash. “The driver lost control and rammed into a truck parked on the side of the road,” Umoh stated, citing eyewitness accounts.
Initial reports from eyewitnesses suggested a higher death toll, with some claiming up to five fatalities, primarily students. However, UNIPORT’s spokesperson, Dr. Sammy Kpenu, clarified that only one student, Silvia Oko, lost her life, dispelling social media rumors of multiple student deaths. Another student, Chidinma Blessing, sustained facial injuries and underwent successful surgery at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). “She is stable, and her parents have been informed,” Kpenu confirmed.
The accident has caused outrage and grief within the UNIPORT community, with students and faculty demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Authorities have launched an inquiry to determine the exact cause, with preliminary findings pointing to the shuttle bus driver’s excessive speed. Emergency responders evacuated the scene, and injured victims were promptly transported to UPTH’s Accident and Emergency unit for treatment.
The tragic loss of Silvia Oko, the infant, and the third victim shows the urgent need for improved road safety measures in Rivers State. The university has extended condolences to the families of the deceased, with Kpenu stating, “We share in the grief of this profound loss and are committed to supporting the affected families.” The institution is also engaging with relevant authorities to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.
The Rivers State community mourns the lives lost and rallies for justice and enhanced safety protocols on its roads.
