Ogenyi Onazi, former Nigerian international footballer, has called upon the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federal Road Safety Corps to address the issue of road safety following a devastating accident that resulted in the death of his sister-in-law and severe injuries to his brother.
In an Instagram post on Friday, Onazi detailed the tragic incident, which occurred on Tuesday around 4 PM. His elder brother and sister-in-law were en route to visit a friend when a truck carrying fertilizer lost control and collided with over 10 vehicles.
The accident claimed the life of Onazi's sister-in-law instantly, while his brother survived but sustained multiple dislocations requiring surgery. Onazi noted that there were additional fatalities in the crash.
The midfielder, currently playing for Italian Serie D club Avezzano, expressed his anger and sorrow over the incident. He revealed that the truck driver involved lacked a proper driving license, raising concerns about the enforcement of driving regulations in Nigeria.
"Driving in Nigeria, you will know that a lot of people driving on the road don’t have proper driving knowledge," Onazi observed, emphasizing the urgent need for improved road safety measures. He highlighted the particular danger posed by truck and tanker drivers, whom he accused of reckless driving.
Onazi, who was a member of Nigeria's victorious Africa Cup of Nations team in 2013, called for stricter enforcement of driving regulations and better training for commercial vehicle operators to prevent future tragedies.
