Paralympian, Wife, 2 Sons, Daughter And Househelp Crushed To Death By Careless Driver In Owerri

Paralympian identified as Arthur alias Agwu Oti Aka, his wife, two sons, a daughter and housemaid were yesterday crushed to death at Umudibia community, Maternity Junction, near Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Arthur and his first son were said to have died on the spot after they got hit by a reckless driver, while his wife, their 14-month-old baby, the second child and househelp passed on at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, where they were rushed to.

The motorcyclist that carried his sons and househelp was also said to have been killed in the accident that occurred Sunday night. Arthur was billed to represent Nigeria at a Paralympics Badminton Competition in the United States (US) in five days. A neighbour, Prince Mekoyor, said yesterday that the driver veered off his lane and rammed on the family members that was returning home on two motorcycles.

According to him, Arthur owned a grocery store near Poly Nekede Junction and was billed to represent Nigeria at a Paralympics Badminton competition in the USA on August 14 before his sudden death.

“Arthur as I fondly called the deceased was living in the same house with me at Weatherall till this last Sunday when he perished with his family. He has only one hand and was about to represent the country on Disabled Badminton competition in the USA on the 14th August 2023.

“He runs a restaurant at Polynek school junction.

“The young guy that killed Arthur, popularly known as one armed General with his family is not even the owner of the RX 330. The vehicle was handed over to him by the owner to rush and withdraw money they will use and pay the woman they were buying drinks from at Holy Family junction Poly Nekede.

“He then zoomed off to the ATM point inside the Master’s Energy fuel station, Aba road Owerri.

“He was on top speed on his way back and he lost control of the steering at Maternity junction, Umuokoto on Polynek-Ihiagwa road. He ended up knocking down a man and the entire family of Arthur face to face.

“Arthur and his family were on their way home at 11:05pm whereas the suspect was heading back to the joint after collecting money at the ATM.”

“He left his right lane and rammed on Arthur and family. Arthur was carrying his wife and his last born (daughter) of one year and two months on his red Windy Motorbike, whereas another bike was carrying his maid and two boys of about 7 and 5years.

“He died on the spot with his first child whereas the wife, baby, second child, house help and the bike man died at FMC Owerri.”

He also disclosed that another man who was on the same lane was equally knocked down with his wife and kid by the same car and seriously wounded.

Meanwhile, In Anambra State, seven passengers sustained injuries after an Ekwuluobia-bound shuttle bus fleeing from illegal tax collectors somersaulted at Nwagu Junction, Agulu in Anaocha local government area.

According to an eyewitness, the driver of the bus suddenly lost control after one of the agents threw a heavy stone on him, resulting in the vehicle’s somersault.

He said: “The bus was one of those the illegal revenue team invaded at Nwagu Junction Agulu.

“While they were pursuing the bus, one of the touts threw a heavy stone on the driver. He suddenly lost control of the bus and it veered off the road and somersaulted.

“All the passengers onboard were left with different degrees of injuries while the driver was in a critical condition.”

Reacting, Transition Committee Chairman of Anaocha local government area, Gerald Ozoh, condemned activities of illegal revenue agents in the area.

Ozoh who visited the crash scene said Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s government was not in support of any form of illegal revenue collection, urging residents to join the government in stopping the act.

He announced a temporary ban on collection of all forms of revenue within the council until proper investigation was conducted to ascertain the real revenue agents of the government.

While revealing that one person has been arrested in connection with the crash, Ozoh charged motorists plying the area to be lawabiding and report activities of any revenue agent within the council to his office.

By Chris Njoku & Emma Elekwa