By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, in an effort to help curtail the rising cases of truck accidents in the state on Wednesday, held a crucial meeting with members of the Truck Union at the State Police Headquarters in Amawbia.

The move is coming on the heels of recurring accidents involving trucks, particularly one of the recent ones that occurred on March 15, 2025, at Upper Iweka area of Onitsha, where a truck lost control and crashed into pedestrians, two tricycles, and a commercial bus filled with passengers, claiming six lives and leaving several others injured.

Speaking at the meeting, Orutugu harped on the need for stricter cautionary measures for truck drivers and owners.

He described the accident as a regrettable but preventable situation, even as he regretted the loss of lives.

The CP who reiterated the importance of enforcing safety measures to curb similar occurrences in the future said that Police is committed to working closely with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to implement practical and enforceable safety guidelines for truck operators.

According to Orutugu, it has become crucial to engage truck drivers and owners directly to ensure they adhere to necessary regulations that will safeguard the lives of road users in the state.

The key strategies discussed at the meeting include, the need for conducting thorough risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards, enforcing regular vehicle inspections to ensure that all trucks on the road are in proper working condition, and providing safety training to educate drivers on responsible driving practices and the importance of complying with traffic regulations.

He further stressed that by implementing the measures, avoidable tragedies on Anambra roads would be significantly reduced.

The CP also reassured the public of the Command?s commitment to ensure safer roads and called on all truck operators to comply strictly with the laid-down safety guidelines.

He added: "Safety on the roads is a shared responsibility. I urge drivers to prioritize caution and responsibility while on duty.?

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, which include the State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra, CC Joyce Alexander, members of the State Police Command?s management team, representatives of the Tipper Drivers and Owners Association, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the 29 Squadron of Mobile Police Base, among others.

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