12 Dead, 8 Injured as Gas Tanker Collides with Bus on Owerri–Onitsha Expressway

 

Tragedy struck on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, when a gas tanker truck rammed into a commuter bus along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State, killing 12 people, including four children, and leaving at least eight others injured.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the devastating incident in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, who explained that the tanker, marked with the NUPENG inscription and bearing registration number T 16716 LA, was driving against traffic before colliding head-on with the bus.

Victims Were Headed for Church Programme

According to police findings, the ill-fated bus was carrying members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church who were travelling from Anambra State to Agwa community in Imo State for a religious programme.

“Eight adults and four children died instantly, while eight other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries. The deceased have been deposited at Ogbaku Mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Divine Hospital, Awo-Omamma,” Okoye said.

He added that a joint team of police officers, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and emergency responders had cleared the wreckage and restored the flow of traffic on the busy highway. An investigation has been opened to determine what led to the tanker driver’s fatal decision to drive against traffic.

Chaos and Grief at the Scene

Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific, with victims trapped inside the mangled bus until rescue teams arrived. Residents said panic and grief engulfed the area as relatives and church members rushed to the site of the collision.

A witness told reporters that “the crash was like an explosion. People were screaming, children were crying, and bodies were scattered before they were evacuated.”

A Deadly Road

The Owerri–Onitsha Expressway has developed a reputation for recurring tragedies, with several fatal crashes recorded in recent years. Analysts and safety advocates blame the frequency of accidents on reckless driving, poor road discipline, and the unchecked movement of articulated vehicles on major highways.

Calls for Stricter Safety Measures

In the wake of Tuesday’s tragedy, road safety campaigners have renewed demands for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, routine checks on heavy-duty trucks, and improved monitoring of drivers. They argue that until government agencies intensify oversight, Nigerian highways will continue to witness avoidable loss of lives.