Three people die in Anambra truck accident

Three people have died and four others are seriously hurt after a truck crashed and caught fire near St. Jude Catholic Church, Adazi-Ani, along the Nnobi, Agulu, Awka Road in Anambra State.

The accident happened around 10am on Friday. The truck was carrying passengers to work when it lost control, hit a roadside barricade, flipped over, and burst into flames.

Eyewitnesses said some passengers were trapped inside the burning vehicle. Community members and passersby quickly rushed to help before emergency services arrived.

One eyewitness shared, "The driver was going down the road when the brakes failed. He lost control and crashed into the barricade, killing some people immediately and injuring others.

"The accident happened around 10am on Friday. The vehicle was on fire while the victims were still trapped. Some community members and passersby helped evacuate the trapped victims before transport officials got there.

"The road is very narrow. The lack of an alternative bridge for vehicles going up and down the hill causes many crashes in this area."

Margaret Onabe, the Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra, confirmed the accident in a statement. She said a Mercedes-Benz 608 commercial truck with registration number XB270NNL was involved.

Onabe said early investigations showed that the truck had a mechanical failure while moving, which made the driver lose control.

The statement said, "The FRSC, Anambra State Sector Command, confirmed a deadly road traffic crash on Friday, July 17, 2026, around 10am near St. Jude Catholic Church, Adazi-Ani, along the Nnobi, Agulu, Awka Road.

"The crash involved a Mercedes-Benz 608 commercial truck with registration number XB270NNL. Investigators found that the vehicle suffered a mechanical failure while it was moving, caught fire, and then the driver lost control.

"The truck hit a roadside barricade, flipped over, and trapped some passengers as it caught fire. There were seven male passengers in total. Three people died, while four others were seriously injured."

Onabe noted that FRSC rescue personnel got the emergency call at 10:35am and arrived on the scene by 10:45am, making it a response time of 10 minutes.

She said FRSC officials quickly started controlling traffic, diverted vehicles to the other lane, and made plans to remove the burnt truck from the road.

Onabe mentioned that the Sector Commander, FRSC Anambra State Command, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

"She also stressed the Corps’ commitment to quick emergency response and road safety enforcement across Anambra State.

"The command urged drivers, especially commercial vehicle operators, to check that their vehicles are in good condition before any journey.

"Drivers should not carry flammable materials inside passenger areas or in unsafe conditions. Regular vehicle maintenance is important to prevent mechanical failures that can lead to serious accidents.

"The FRSC is dedicated to protecting lives and property on Nigerian roads and calls on Ndi Anambra to prioritize safety above all else," the statement concluded.