By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has taken decisive steps to tackle the rising cases of truck accidents in the state.
The CP, in a bid to prevent further tragedies, on Wednesday, held a crucial meeting at the State Police Headquarters in Awka with members of the Truck Union, emphasizing the need for stricter cautionary measures for truck drivers and owners.
The move comes in response to recurring accidents involving trucks, particularly one of the recent ones that occurred on March 15, 2025, at the Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha, where a truck lost control and crashed into pedestrians, two tricycles, and a commercial bus filled with passengers, claiming six lives and leaving several others injured.
Describing the accident as a regrettable but preventable situation, CP Orutugu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and reiterated the importance of enforcing safety measures to curb similar occurrences in the future.
He stressed the commitment of the police to working closely with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to implement practical and enforceable safety guidelines for truck operators. The Commissioner noted that it had become imperative to engage truck drivers and owners directly, ensuring that they adhere to necessary regulations that will safeguard the lives of road users in the state.
Among the key strategies discussed at the meeting were the need for conducting thorough risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards, enforcing regular vehicle inspections to ensure that all trucks on the road are in proper working condition, and providing safety training to educate drivers on responsible driving practices and the importance of complying with traffic regulations.
CP Orutugu maintained that by implementing these measures, avoidable tragedies on Anambra roads could be significantly reduced. He reassured the public of the Command’s commitment to ensuring safer roads and called on all truck operators to comply strictly with the laid-down safety guidelines. According to him, safety on the roads is a shared responsibility and urged drivers to prioritize caution and responsibility while on duty.
The engagement was attended by key stakeholders, including the State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra, CC Joyce Alexander, members of the State Police Command’s management team, representatives of the Tipper Drivers and Owners Association, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the 29 Squadron of Mobile Police Base, and several Divisional Police Officers.
