Several injured as Okorocha’s convoy involved in accident

Tragedy was narrowly averted Monday evening in Imo State when the convoy of the state governor, Rochas Okorocha was involved in an accident that left several people injured.

The accident occurred in Ulakwo along the Owerri-Aba Road when the governor was returning from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport where several of his supporters went to welcome him after his two-week overseas trip.

The governor was, however, unhurt, as the vehicles that were involved in the accident were those at the back of the convoy.

Eye witnesses attributed the crash to recklessness of the convoy. According to one of the eyewitnesses, one of the drivers lost control of his bus which somersaulted several times.

Though no life was lost, five members of the APC Youth Vanguard, who were in the bus, were said to have been taken to the hospital unconscious.

As at press time about 12 others are said to be nursing various degrees of injuries in hospital.

The accident victims were taken to Umezuruike hospital in Owerri for treatment.

However, the governor’s media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo denied that there was any accident at all, insisting: “The convoy in which I was never had any accident”.

But, a member of the APC Youth Vanguard told newsmen that he narrowly escaped being caught up in the accident by the grace of God because he had joined another vehicle to the airport as the said bus did not accommodate him.

He stated that the governor had directed the governor’s Campaign Director General, Iheukwumere Alaribe to take care of the hospital bills of the victims of the accident.

Commissioner for Information, Chidi Ibe also confirmed the accident explaining that one of the buses in the convoy had a burst tire while in motion leading to the vehicle somersaulting. He noted that no life was lost.