The bustling Rumuokoro axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria, became the scene of a tragic road accident on a Monday, claiming the lives of a University of Port Harcourt student, an infant, and another individual. The accident involved a collision between a UNIPORT shuttle bus and a stationary truck near the Eliozu Flyover along the busy Eliozu-Rumuokoro Road. Initial eyewitness accounts, circulating rapidly through social media, painted a grim picture, suggesting as many as five fatalities, primarily students. These reports, however, proved to be exaggerated upon further investigation.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Rivers State, through its Sector Commander, Inyang Umoh, confirmed the incident and clarified the number of casualties. According to Umoh, FRSC officials at the scene found two deceased females and a child. The driver of the shuttle bus, found unconscious, was rescued. Eyewitness accounts gathered by the FRSC pointed to speeding as the primary cause of the accident, with the bus reportedly losing control and ramming into the parked truck. The official statement from the FRSC helped to quell the misinformation spreading through social media.
The University of Port Harcourt, deeply affected by the tragedy, swiftly initiated efforts to identify the victims and inform their families. Dr. Sammy Kpenu, the spokesperson for UNIPORT, confirmed the death of one undergraduate student, Silvia Oko, a 300-level student in the Department of Economics. This confirmation countered the earlier social media reports that had significantly inflated the number of student fatalities. Kpenu emphasized the university’s commitment to accurate information dissemination and responsible communication with the affected families.
In addition to the fatality, another UNIPORT student, Chidinma Blessing, sustained facial injuries in the accident. She was immediately transported to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for treatment. Kpenu provided an update on her condition, stating that she had undergone successful surgery and was in stable condition. He reassured the public that the university had contacted both students’ families to inform them of the situation. The prompt action taken by the university demonstrated their proactive approach in managing the aftermath of the tragic incident.
The accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of speeding and the importance of road safety measures. The busy Eliozu-Rumuokoro Road, a major artery in Port Harcourt, witnesses significant traffic volume daily. The presence of a stationary truck on the side of the road highlights potential hazards, particularly in situations involving speeding vehicles. This tragic incident underscores the need for stricter adherence to traffic regulations, increased driver awareness, and improved road infrastructure to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
While the initial reports circulating on social media amplified the scale of the tragedy, the official confirmations from the FRSC and UNIPORT provided a clearer picture of the incident. This highlights the crucial role of verified information sources in times of crisis and the potential for misinformation to escalate anxiety and distress. The swift response of the university in identifying the affected students, informing their families, and providing updates on their condition demonstrated their commitment to student welfare and responsible crisis management. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the continuing need for greater road safety awareness and preventative measures.
