The trailer that killed several people at the Imo State University (IMSU) junction in Owerri on Saturday evening had suffered a brake failure, EQToday has learned.

A source who lives around the area told EQToday that after the trailer’s brake failed, it hit three buses loaded with passengers.

“Two students and one lecturer were identified among the deceased. Others were people coming from their business places. The buses were crushed by the trailer, and I don’t think anyone survived,” said the source.

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Another resident, who lives close to the IMSU junction, told our reporter that she was one hour away from the accident that Saturday. “But I got calls and texts and videos. When I went to the area on Sunday, I learned it was a random truck carrying chipping (granite stone). The last time I checked and asked, six people were injured,” she said.

Videos circulating on X show the bodies of the deceased as they lay in their own pool of blood splattered on the road.

Meanwhile, a report by The Nation reveals that the accident happened around 7 pm and six people died. It was also revealed that the vehicle hit people on a nearby electric pole.

The driver drove against the traffic, according to an eyewitness who spoke with The Nation.

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“We took them to FMC after the nearby hospitals couldn’t offer any help. The vehicle smashed them after it lost control at the IMSU junction. Unfortunately, six persons have been confirmed dead, while others were being attended to,” the eyewitness was quoted as saying.

NOT THE FIRST TIME

In 2017, a truck crushed a final year student of IMSU to death at the junction where yesterday’s incident happened.

Social media users have been expressing their concerns about the junction, which they describe as a death trap.

“This imsu junction again? All the time?I’m tired,” @Chiamaka wrote on X.

Another X user, Ezra, wrote: “The truth is, government has refused to take responsibility to avert unnecessary loss of lives. If you know IMSU junction at Owerri, you will know that it’s a pure death trap. For God sake, that road is a major road and needs total expansion. Now four lives have been lost yet again.”

“This is 2024, and this junction is still taking lives. We have such a useless government, God!” @BrownisMe wrote.

Caleb, another X user, revealed that he hated staying around the junction when he was schooling at IMSU. “The PTSD I have there is enough for a lifetime. I was there one day when one Dangote trailer killed some people one night when we were going for a departmental party. I hate that road,” he said.

AkwaUgo, another X user, also wrote: “That Imsu Junction is becoming something else. Almost every year, accident occurs there, claiming people’s lives anyhow. I don’t even know if that roundabout is a blessing or curse.”
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