By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Enugu State Police Command has confirmed a tragic incident that occurred on 17 February 2026 in Awhum community, Udi Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.
The incident involved a large tree that fell at the Awhum village/market square on two vehicles: a Toyota Hiace bus and a Sienna minivan, killing 11 passengers.
Upon receiving the report, operatives attached to 9th Mile Division swiftly responded and, with the assistance of community members, rescued four persons trapped in the vehicles and secured the scene.
The police said, regrettably, 11 victims were rushed to the hospital but were later confirmed dead by attending doctors.
Their remains have been deposited in the mortuary for further necessary procedures.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe, the police said that preliminary findings indicate that the vehicles were conveying passengers from Old Park, Enugu, and heading to various villages within the Awhum/Okpatu axis.
They stopped to drop off passengers when the tree, weakened by heavy rainfall, strong winds, and apparent internal decay, collapsed on them,the statement explained.
“The Commissioner of Police commiserates with the families of the deceased and the entire Awhum Community over the unfortunate incident,” Ndukwe stated.
He further advised community leaders and residents across the State to regularly inspect and maintain large or aging trees around markets, motor parks, schools, and residential areas, particularly during the rainy season, to prevent similar tragedies.
Also, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state confirmed the death of the 11 persons in a road mishap where a gigantic tree fall on two vehicles on 9th Mile-Old Nsukka Road.
The Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, gave the confirmation on Wednesday in Enugu.
Agbakoba said that the mishap happened at about 9:20p.m. on Tuesday at the Awhum Market in Awhum community axis of the road.
He said that the mishap involved a commercial Toyota Hiace bus; a commercial Toyota Sienna car and the tree.
According to him, the unfortunate incident was occasioned by a heavy rainfall.
He said: “The road mishap involved 13 persons in total, which included: 11 female and two male.
“Unfortunately, 11 lives was lost at the spot, which included: 10 female and one male; even before 17 minutes response time on which the FRSC night rescue team navigated the terrain to the spot.”
Agbakoba, who is a Core Commander with the FRSC, noted that the commercial Toyota Hiace bus stopped for passengers to alight when the tree fell on it.
“The Sector Commander said that the FRSC night rescue team had deposited the dead victims at the Ekochin Hospital Morgue, 9th Mile Corner near Enugu; while the villagers obliged with their Mythco chainsaw to cut the fallen tree.
“Subsequently, the Enugu State Traffic Management Agency (ESTMA) Heavy Duty Tow Truck was activated to the crash scene and pulled away the heavy tree branches blocking traffic flow.
“The road was later opened and free traffic flow restored,” he added.
*PHOTO CAPTION: The fallen tree,now cut down.
