Enugu debunks fatal inferno report, begins enforcement of ₦500,000 fine for one-way driving
The Enugu State Ministry of Transport has denied reports of a road crash resulting in an inferno that allegedly claimed over 50 lives at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, describing the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Odumegwu Chinwendu, on Thursday, the ministry also maintained that images being circulated as depicting Ugwu Onyeama do not portray any part of the axis.
“Our attention has been drawn to false and misleading reports currently circulating on some online platforms alleging that a fatal inferno occurred at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, claiming over 50 lives.
“We wish to categorically state that this report is entirely incorrect and does not reflect the current reality on the Ugwu Onyeama corridor.
“Traffic is flowing freely on both sides of the expressway, with normal vehicular movement observed along the axis.
“It is important to note that the image circulating alongside the false report does not depict the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway. The image shows silhouettes and clusters of residential buildings along the roadway, a feature that does not exist on the actual Ugwu Onyeama axis, where there are no such residential structures directly adjoining the corridor,” the statement said.
The ministry added that while the Ugwu Onyeama area had historically recorded several fatal accidents, infrastructural intervention by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had significantly improved road safety and vehicular movement along the corridor.
It noted that the reconstruction of sections of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway using concrete technology, alongside coordinated patrol operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the ministry, had contributed to a reduction in accidents on the route.
The ministry urged members of the public to disregard the false reports and cooperate with traffic authorities by obeying speed limits and using designated lanes responsibly.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, said the government had commenced strict enforcement of a ₦500,000 fine against motorists caught driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way driving.
Ozor disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu on Wednesday.
According to him, the measure is aimed at curbing road accidents and enforcing discipline among motorists across the state.
“Government has spent billions to provide adequate road infrastructure, yet people deliberately drive against traffic, endangering their lives and those of others,” he said.
The commissioner cited areas such as Abakpa and the Penoks axis, where motorists continue to violate traffic regulations despite the presence of medians and clearly marked lanes.
He added that offenders would not only pay the ₦500,000 fine but would also undergo psychiatric evaluation to determine whether substance abuse or other mental health conditions contributed to their actions.
Ozor stressed that the policy was not intended as a revenue-generating measure but as part of efforts to save lives and reduce avoidable accidents in the state.
He further disclosed that the government had intensified public enlightenment campaigns in collaboration with transport unions and media organisations to promote compliance with tra ffic regulations.