At least five persons have reportedly died, while several others sustained varying degrees of injury in a fatal road crash that occurred on Monday night near the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) permanent site at Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The accident involved a commercial bus conveying passengers from Benue State to Onitsha, Anambra State, and a 911 truck loaded with bags of sachet water en route from Enugu to Abakaliki.

An eyewitness, Mr. Goddy Ogba, attributed the tragedy to a brake failure on the truck. He further alleged that a police checkpoint mounted at the Ishieke axis contributed to the accident.

“Policemen blocked the road at the checkpoint late in the night, creating a hazardous situation. This tragic incident could have been avoided if proper traffic management had been in place,” Ogba lamented, adding that similar crashes had been recorded around the checkpoint in the past.

He called on authorities to dismantle the Ishieke police checkpoint, insisting it has become a major risk to motorists.

However, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, gave a different account. He confirmed the incident but maintained that only two lives were lost.

“Those who sustained injuries have been taken to hospital and are receiving medical treatment,” Ukandu said.

The crash has once again sparked concerns over road safety and the conduct of security operatives at checkpoints along the busy Abakaliki–Enugu highway.