A major road accident occurred on the Ikpoba River bridge in Benin City, Edo State, after a truck reportedly suffered a brake failure and crashed into six vehicles.
The incident, which caused significant panic among commuters and residents, resulted in six individuals sustaining varying degrees of injuries. Fortunately, no lives were lost.
According to eyewitness accounts, some bystanders initially claimed that three vehicles plunged into the river during the collision. However, this was later debunked by the Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Cyril Matthew Zango.
He confirmed that although the accident was severe, no vehicles fell into the river, and all victims were safely evacuated to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
The accident comes just two weeks after a traditional custodian and Priest of the Ikpoba River, Prince Udinyiwe Eweka, issued a cautionary statement regarding the ongoing dredging activities at the river.
The priest warned of potential spiritual repercussions if proper traditional rites and sacrifices were not carried out to appease the river goddess before such activities began.
Edo State Government had recently commenced dredging works on the Ikpoba River as part of its broader efforts to tackle the problem of perennial flooding and to curb river overflows that affect surrounding communities.
Speaking on the project, the State Commissioner for Mining, Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, explained that the dredging initiative was not only aimed at resolving the flooding issues but also at exploring the river’s potential for revenue generation.
Despite the government’s good intentions, Prince Eweka expressed strong reservations, insisting that spiritual protocols must be observed. He emphasized that the river is sacred and that traditional consultations should be made to determine the offerings required by the goddess of the Ikpoba River.
In his words: “This Ikpoba River has existed for generations. I grew up knowing this river. Previous governments attempted dredging, but it failed because proper rites were not observed. We must consult the gods to know what they require before undertaking such projects. Sacrifices must be made.
“It’s not just a matter of bringing machines to the river; spiritual forces are at play. Governor Lucky Igbinedion attempted it in the past, and others followed suit, but none succeeded because they ignored the traditional demands.”
He continued by stressing the importance of balance between tradition and development, saying: “When you give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God, everything goes smoothly. If we do what is right spiritually, there will be no obstruction or consequences during the dredging process.”
Meanwhile, traffic authorities and rescue personnel have cleared the scene of the crash, and normal vehicular movement has resumed. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the brake failure that triggered the accident.