Over 10 victims of a ghastly accident on the Benin–Auchi highway were rescued on Saturday through the swift intervention of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
Okpebholo, convoy rescue over 10 victims in Edo highway crash
The governor, who was travelling with his convoy to Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area, met a traffic gridlock shortly after the bypass and alighted to assess the cause.
According to Channels TV, on reaching the scene, he found several passengers in critical condition, many bleeding profusely, while bystanders looked on helplessly.
Moved by their plight, Okpebholo ordered his aides to deploy two of his security Hilux vehicles to evacuate the victims to a nearby medical facility.
Okpebholo, convoy rescue over 10 victims in Edo highway crash
He personally supervised the rescue effort, helping ensure the injured—including a woman with severe wounds—were carried one after another into the vehicles for urgent treatment.
Eyewitnesses said the crash occurred when the driver of a white Toyota Venza, with registration number ABUJA GWA 50 AW, drove against traffic, colliding with three fully loaded commercial minibuses.
The impact left scores injured and caused a massive traffic standstill.
Okpebholo, convoy rescue over 10 victims in Edo highway crash
Okpebholo stayed at the scene until the last of the victims were taken to the hospital under security escort before resuming his journey.
Okpebholo, convoy rescue over 10 victims in Edo highway crash
His swift action drew applause from residents, motorists and sympathisers.
Meanwhile, as of press time, neither the Federal Road Safety Corps nor the government has issued an official statement on the incident.
