No fewer than nine persons of Afara Community in Etche local government area of Rivers State were confirmed dead while scores others were injured while escorting a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ambrose Igbokwe Nwuzi to marry a third wife on Sunday.
They were going to Imo State for a traditional marriage between Mr Nwuzi and a third wife when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a speeding trailer.
The incident occurred along Akpoku/Udufor Road.
According to eyewitnesses, amongst the dead was also Mr Nwuzi’s younger brother, Ogunka and his wife.
It was, however, gathered on Monday that the death toll may have risen to over twenty, with only one person still alive out of the twenty-five persons that boarded the coaster bus.
The driver of the trailer was arrested by the locals and handed over to the police.
However, when contacted, Nnamdi Omoni, the public relations officer of the Rivers State Command said he has not been briefed on the incident.
Another eye witness Dimpka Anele narrated that hoodlums had a field day carting away belongings of the deceased including their phones.
