A tragic road accident in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, has left three people dead, including a lawyer. The incident happened in Utu Etim Ekpo, a town in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, and has raised serious questions about road safety and the conduct of security forces.

Eyewitnesses report that the accident took place around 8 p.m. on Monday night. A flour-loaded truck, allegedly pursued by a military patrol team, crashed into several people. The chase reportedly began when the truck driver did not stop at a military checkpoint near Nkwot Ikot Ebo along the Iwukem-Etim Ekpo-Abak Road.

“The truck, loaded with flour, was coming from the Iwukem direction toward Abak and was flagged down at the soldiers’ checkpoint at Nkwot Ikot Ebo. The driver refused to stop.

The soldiers overtook the truck, but the driver still wouldn’t stop, speeding towards them. The soldiers scrambled for safety as the truck sped down a slope toward the roundabout. It was impossible to navigate safely at that speed.

The driver lost control, veering off the road and crashing into a row of makeshift shops by the motor park, killing the unsuspecting victims instantly, including the lawyer, whose name has yet to be released.”Eno Umanah, a motorcyclist and eyewitness told Vanguard

One of the accident’s survivors, a woman with severe leg injuries, struggled to get immediate medical attention. After nearby Divine Love Hospital and Utu Etim Ekpo Government Hospital reportedly turned her away, she was finally taken to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), about a 45-minute drive away.

As of now, neither the state police command nor the military has released any statements regarding the accident. This tragic incident has sparked discussions on road safety, the responsibilities of drivers, and the conduct of security forces in high-speed pursuits on public roads. Many hope that the authorities will address these concerns to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.