A catastrophic multiple vehicle collision on the busy Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway has left an unconfirmed number of people dead, with rescue operations hampered by the sheer scale of the devastation.
Scene of Chaos and Despair
The tragic incident occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, near the bustling New Gariki Market. Eyewitnesses described a scene of utter chaos as about ten vehicles, including four trailers loaded with cattle and goods, two commercial buses, two Toyota Sienna vehicles, and several smaller cars, were involved in a massive pile-up. Some of the smaller vehicles were tragically trapped beneath the fallen articulated trucks.
Human body parts were visibly scattered under the heavy trailers, making initial rescue attempts by market traders and passers-by extremely difficult and traumatic. The Guardian observed traders from the nearby market desperately trying to free survivors pinned under twisted metal and heavy tyres, with many wailing helplessly at the gruesome sight.
Eyewitness Account Blames Reckless Driving
One trader at the scene provided a chilling account of the moments leading to the disaster. He attributed the cause to motorists driving against the flow of traffic on a newly reconstructed section of the highway. "People were driving one-way with speed. Before we knew it, trailers and vehicles collided and everything scattered," he recounted, highlighting the sudden and violent nature of the crash.
The situation created a massive gridlock, forcing all vehicles to divert to a single lane. The gridlock and confusion persisted until the arrival of security forces.
Military Intervention and Ongoing Mystery
Approximately twenty soldiers arrived at the scene in four gun trucks and a Black Maria police vehicle. The military personnel immediately took charge, controlling the chaotic traffic and attempting to create a passage for stranded motorists.
Notably, no other civil authority or emergency service officials were present at the time The Guardian filed its report. There has been no official statement from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) or the police regarding the precise cause of the accident or the number of casualties.
The extent of the destruction and the horrific scene described by witnesses strongly suggest a significant loss of lives. However, the official casualty figure remains unknown as rescue and recovery operations were ongoing. The incident underscores the perennial dangers on Nigerian highways and calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, especially against driving on one-way routes.
