Imo Tanker Crash: 12 Jehovah’s Witness Members Killed, 8 Injured on Owerri-Onitsha Expressway

Tragedy struck along the busy Owerri-Onitsha expressway on Tuesday when a gas tanker driving against traffic collided head-on with a commercial bus, killing 12 passengers and injuring eight others.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the fatalities in a statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye. He explained that the tanker, with registration number T 16716 LA and marked with the NUPENG inscription, veered into the wrong lane before ramming into a commuter bus registered as ABB 79 BX.

The bus was reportedly conveying members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church from Anambra State to Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State when the crash occurred.

DSP Okoye revealed that the deceased victims have been evacuated to Ogbaku mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Divine Hospital, Awo-Omamma, Oru East LGA. He also noted that the accident scene has been cleared, with police and road safety officers restoring normal traffic flow.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured survivors a speedy recovery. He strongly warned motorists against reckless driving practices such as wrong-way driving, excessive speeding, and negligence—citing them as leading causes of road carnage in Nigeria.

The police urged road users to prioritize safety and comply with traffic regulations to protect lives and property. Members of the public with useful information on the incident have been encouraged to contact the nearest police station or call 08148024755 and 08034773600.