A horrific tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyeama, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, has claimed the lives of 11 members of the same family from the Abofia-Agbaja community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The tragic incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday when a fuel tanker, reportedly descending a steep section of the road, lost control and crashed into multiple vehicles.
The collision triggered a massive fire, engulfing several cars and leading to multiple fatalities.
Among the victims was Mr. Jeremiah Nwaji, his wife, six children—including a set of twins—his younger brother, a house help, and other dependents.
The family was on their way from Onitsha, Anambra State, to their hometown for the burial of their late father when their Sienna vehicle was caught in the inferno.
Speaking through tears, the bereaved brother, Mr. Ikechukwu Nwaji, expressed his devastation.
“It is heartbreaking that we lost 11 members of our family in an avoidable tragedy. My eldest brother, who was our breadwinner, perished along with his wife, six children, and our last-born brother. They were traveling for our father’s burial, which was set for this Friday. Now, we are left with just two siblings,” he lamented.
He also revealed that the Sienna vehicle was borrowed from a friend for the trip, adding to the tragic irony of the situation.
Nwaji urged the federal government to reinstate restrictions on tanker movements during the day to prevent similar incidents.
“We are pleading with President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the previous regulation that restricted tanker movements to nighttime. In developed countries, fuel-laden trucks do not operate under conditions that endanger other road users. The government must act now to prevent more families from experiencing this kind of tragedy,” he said.
Similarly, the bereaved sister, Mrs. Chiamaka Onyibe, described her late brother as the family’s pillar of support.
“He was the one taking care of my children’s school fees since I lost my husband. With his death, we have lost our divine helper,” she cried.
The late Jeremiah Nwaji was reportedly a classmate of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, from the 2004 academic set.
