By Frank Ulom
CONVERSEER has gathered that not all the victims of the accident killed and injured along Mary Slessor by Bogobiri on December 27, 2022, are of the Hausa/Fulani.
Another dead recorded last night, December 28, has it that at least one Cross Riverian was involved in the auto crash.
The sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Maikano Hassan, confirmed on Wednesday morning that 8 people were killed and 28 injured in the accident involving a driver named Toyin Wahab Salawu with a Toyota Camry vehicle with the following number plate: “Cross River – DUK 505 PE”.
However, the death toll has risen to 9 as a family member of one of the victims is currently mourning.
CONVERSEER learned that the 9th victim’s name is Iwara Iwara from Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Usani Iwara, the victim’s cousin who has taken to social media to mourn on Thursday, December 29, 2022, said he woke up to hear the passing away of his relative.
“I just discovered that one of my first cousins was among the victims of this crash. He passed away last night”, Usani said.
Usani while lamenting in another Facebook post, said: “They said the car wasn’t part of the carnival but new videos have proven that in fact, it was. The driver was going at about 140km/h on a road where onlookers flooded both sides. On negotiating a curve at such speed, the centrifugal force pulled the car off the tarmac, killing my first cousin and other people. It is unfortunate your life ended abruptly in such a way. Rest in peace Iwara Iwara. God knows best”.
CONVERSEER had earlier reported that the vehicle involved in the accident was part of the Bikers/Cars Carnival, even though it was alleged by many, including Governor Ben Ayade that it was an errant vehicle.
Meanwhile, Governor Ayade had on Wednesday morning visited the Hausa/Fulani community, and the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, consoling the victims and members of their families. He also ordered the payment of their hospital bills as well.
A minute of silence was observed during the flagging off of the Carnival Calabar proper on Wednesday evening, to honour the victims of the auto crash.