Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps,
FRSC, was, at the weekend, crushed by a tipper
lorry, just as Governor Rochas Okorocha
expressed deep shock over the tragedy that befell
Umudagu, Ihitte Isi Mbieri community in
Mbaitoli local council area, on Thursday night.
The Mbieri tragedy followed a torrential rain that
was accompanied by thunder, lightening and a
ferocious windstorm, which pulled down a huge
tree known as Osisi Ukwu Uko and claimed lives.
Okorocha described the incident as "a very sad
natural disaster" and wondered why some elders
in the community resisted previous efforts made
by some people to cut down the tree before it
claimed scores of precious lives. "This is a very
sad natural disaster. I wonder why some elders
in the community resisted earlier moves by some
people to cut down the tree before it claimed
lives and brought untold anguish to many
families", the governor said.
He appealed to people to resist the temptation of
dwelling on superstitious beliefs, especially as
such negates what he called "sound sense of
reasoning".
Okorocha directed other communities with
similar trees to cut them down immediately to
avoid a repeat of the sad incident. In the interim,
the governor directed the Mayor of Owerri, Dr.
Kachi Nwoga, to make available to his office
information in respect of the victims of the
disaster. "Government has plans to give succour
to the immediate families that lost their loved
ones in the unfortunate disaster", he said.
Meanwhile, Okorocha has visited the scene of
the disaster and directed relevant government
agencies to continue the rescue operation, as
well as clear the debris.
The FRSC official who was crushed by the tipper
lorry with registration number AE 285 ABN, on
Friday, was said to be trying to cross the ever
busy Owerri-Umuahia federal highway. The
incident occurred at the roundabout close to Imo
State headquarters of the FRSC Sector
Command, Egbu.
Shocked FRSC personnel declined to speak to
Sunday Vanguard on the death and referred our
correspondent to the Sector Commander, who
was said to be unavailable.
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