FRSC Reacts As Calabar – Itu Crash Kills Four

CALABAR, CROSS RIVER – Fresh details have emerged over Thursday night’s fatal crash along the Calabar–Itu Highway, with authorities now confirming that four persons, including three students and a staff member of the University of Cross River State, lost their lives in the accident.

The crash, which occurred at about 9:25 p.m. at Ikot Okon in Odukpani Local Government Area, involved a coaster bus conveying students and a container truck, according to the Cross River State Police Command.

The police had initially confirmed two deaths and said investigations were ongoing.

However, in a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Onen Ebri Onen, and reported by Nigerian Tribune, the University of Cross River State disclosed that the vehicle was carrying 24 students and one staff member, many of them members of the Students’ Union Government executive, returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The university confirmed that three students and one staff member died in the collision.

The deceased were identified as: Comrade Solomon Uya, Director of Sports, Students’ Union Government, comrade Lucky Erim, Department of Chemistry, Comrade Favour Darlington, Department of Educational Management, Mr Anthony Arikpo, driver of the vehicle and staff member of the institution.

Truth Live News gathered that several survivors are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.

Truck Driver Flees Scene

The Cross River State Police Command said the driver of the container truck fled before emergency responders arrived.

Police spokesperson ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata said efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the driver as investigations continue.

The command added that officers coordinated the evacuation of victims to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, while traffic was later restored.

FRSC Blames Reckless Driving

Reacting to the crash, the Federal Road Safety Corps vowed to intensify enforcement against truck drivers operating along the Odukpani–Itu axis.

Sector Commander CC Innocent Tommy Etuk described the incident as “devastating and avoidable,” citing reckless driving, brake failure, wrongful overtaking, excessive speed and loss of control by heavy-duty vehicles.

The Corps said offenders would face the “full weight of the law.”

University Community in Mourning

The Vice Chancellor of University of Cross River State, Prof. Francisca Bassey, accompanied by Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Stella Maris-Okey, visited injured students and monitored their treatment.

According to the university, the Vice Chancellor remained with victims until the early hours of Friday to ensure adequate medical attention.

The institution described the tragedy as a painful loss to the university community.

Questions Over Highway Safety

The crash has renewed concerns over safety along the Calabar–Itu Highway, long regarded by motorists as one of the state’s most dangerous corridors.

The incident also raises urgent questions over enforcement of truck safety regulations, monitoring of heavy-duty vehicle movement, driver accountability and emergency response systems.

Growing Calls for Action

With four lives lost and several others injured, stakeholders are calling for more than official condolences.

Road safety advocates say sustained enforcement, stricter truck inspections, and infrastructure improvements are needed to prevent further tragedies.

As investigations continue, attention is now focused on locating the fleeing truck driver and determining the exact cause of the collision.