At least nine persons have been confirmed dead while scores others were injured on Sunday while escorting a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ambrose Igbokwe Nwuzi to marry a third wife.
The nine persons from Afara community in Etche Local government area of Rivers were heading to Imo State for a traditional marriage between Mr Nwuzi a third wife when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a speeding trailer.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred along Akpoku/Udufor Road.
According to the eyewitnesses, amongst the dead was also Mr Nwuzi’s younger brother, Ogunka.
Mr Nwuzi, a former ally of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, defected to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2020 and was welcomed into the party by Governor Nyesom Wike.
As at the time of filing this, the bodies of the deceased have been evacuated to the mortuary while the injured have all be taken to the hospital for medical attention.
