A series of road crashes at Ogwashi-Uku Junction in Delta State has claimed nine lives and left several others injured, plunging the community into mourning.

Eyewitnesses told The Guardian that the first accident occurred when a vehicle crash claimed two lives. Tragedy struck again shortly afterward when a speeding Toyota Sienna rammed into onlookers and sympathizers who had gathered at the scene, killing seven more people.

The victims reportedly included passersby and residents who had rushed to assist those involved in the initial crash. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, though the exact number of casualties remains unclear.

Residents of Ogwashi-Uku expressed outrage over the incident, describing it as avoidable and blaming lapses in traffic control, road safety enforcement, and emergency response for the escalation.

“If there were proper traffic management and timely intervention, this wouldn’t have escalated into such a calamity,” a visibly shaken witness lamented.

Community leaders and motorists have since called on the Delta State Government, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies to urgently implement stricter traffic regulations, provide adequate signage at busy junctions, and establish rapid response units in accident-prone areas.

However, when contacted, the State Sector Public Enlightenment Officer, Superintendent Route Commander (SRC) Patrick Obiagbo, said the only accident officially reported to the FRSC occurred between Ogwashi-Uku and Issele-Azagba and involved a truck and a G.O. Motors vehicle.

According to him, the incident happened on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, and resulted in only a minor injury to the driver of the G.O. Motors vehicle, with no recorded fatalities. (The Guardian)