Fifty-one
victims of the recent Ugbogui road accident in Edo State were on Saturday
interred at a mass burial at first cemetery in the state capital, Benin.
victims of the recent Ugbogui road accident in Edo State were on Saturday
interred at a mass burial at first cemetery in the state capital, Benin.
They were burnt to death in the accident
that occurred on April 5th at Ugbogui village along the Benin-Ore-Lagos
road.
that occurred on April 5th at Ugbogui village along the Benin-Ore-Lagos
road.
The accident involved a tanker, a trailer
and a luxury bus.
and a luxury bus.
It was the tanker that exploded after the
trailer hit it from behind.
trailer hit it from behind.
Several other vehicles parked along the
road including motor-cycles and properties worth millions in shops along the
road were burnt.
road including motor-cycles and properties worth millions in shops along the
road were burnt.
Two brothers who were sleeping in their
mother’s shop were also victims.
mother’s shop were also victims.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had
said that 36 persons died in the accident but the mortician at the University
of Benin Teaching Hospital, Aikoriogie Wilfred said 51 bodies were brought to
the hospital.
said that 36 persons died in the accident but the mortician at the University
of Benin Teaching Hospital, Aikoriogie Wilfred said 51 bodies were brought to
the hospital.
He said he did all he could to preserve the
body, adding that the victims could not be identified.
body, adding that the victims could not be identified.
Families of the victims were incensed when
official of the FRSC informed them that death certificates would be issued to
the 36 names on the manifest provided by the transport company.
official of the FRSC informed them that death certificates would be issued to
the 36 names on the manifest provided by the transport company.
They argued that many of the victims did
not include their names in the manifest.
not include their names in the manifest.
Eugene Odiamah said his mother, a nephew
and niece died in the accident but that only the name of their mother appeared
on the manifest.
and niece died in the accident but that only the name of their mother appeared
on the manifest.
Kevin Aniekwe said he lost his wife and two
daughters in the accident.
daughters in the accident.
“It is
very painful. I spoke with them before they left that day. The Lord is now my
strength. I know I will see them again.”
very painful. I spoke with them before they left that day. The Lord is now my
strength. I know I will see them again.”
“They were going to see their grandmother
in Enugu.”It was gathered that the driver of the vehicle took passengers of
another bus that broke down along the way.
in Enugu.”It was gathered that the driver of the vehicle took passengers of
another bus that broke down along the way.
The corpses were taken from the UBTH morgue
at about 8:30am and were loaded in a truck.
at about 8:30am and were loaded in a truck.
At the cemetery, a brief service was held
for the victims and led by Pastor Barnabas Chukwukere.
for the victims and led by Pastor Barnabas Chukwukere.
Pastor Chukwukere urged the families to
believe in the Lord and continue to serve him as death could occurred at any
time.
believe in the Lord and continue to serve him as death could occurred at any
time.
According to him, “Remember now the Lord
your creator. Leave your life as if it is the end. We are nothing but sand.
your creator. Leave your life as if it is the end. We are nothing but sand.
The families brought photographs of the
victims including wreath and flowers to lay on the grave.
victims including wreath and flowers to lay on the grave.
They were further peeved when they learnt
that officials of the transport company were not present at the burial of the
victims.
that officials of the transport company were not present at the burial of the
victims.
Ani Justin said his brother, Chibuzor died
in the accident.
in the accident.
“I have no option but to accept the fact
that my brother is buried in another land.”
that my brother is buried in another land.”
Chika Odiamah said he spent three days at
the hospital trying to identify his relatives but could not before he accepted
the mass burial.
the hospital trying to identify his relatives but could not before he accepted
the mass burial.
The victims’ relatives called for a policy
that would made heavy duty vehicles ply the road only at night.
that would made heavy duty vehicles ply the road only at night.
Officials of UBTH, policemen were present
at the burial.
at the burial.
Source: The Nation
