Fifty-one victims of the recent Ugbogui road accident in Edo State were on Saturday interred at a mass burial at first cemetery in the state capital, Benin.
They were burnt to death in the accident that occurred on April 5th at Ugbogui village along the Benin-Ore-Lagos road.
The accident involved a tanker, a trailer and a luxury bus.
It was the tanker that exploded after the trailer hit it from behind.
Several other vehicles parked along the road including motor-cycles and properties worth millions in shops along the road were burnt.
Two brothers who were sleeping in their mother’s shop were also victims.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had said that 36 persons died in the accident but the mortician at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Aikoriogie Wilfred said 51 bodies were brought to the hospital.
He said he did all he could to preserve the body, adding that the victims could not be identified.
Families of the victims were incensed when official of the FRSC informed them that death certificates would be issued to the 36 names on the manifest provided by the transport company.
They argued that many of the victims did not include their names in the manifest.
Eugene Odiamah said his mother, a nephew and niece died in the accident but that only the name of their mother appeared on the manifest.
Kevin Aniekwe said he lost his wife and two daughters in the accident.
“It is very painful. I spoke with them before they left that day. The Lord is now my strength. I know I will see them again.”
“They were going to see their grandmother in Enugu.”It was gathered that the driver of the vehicle took passengers of another bus that broke down along the way.
The corpses were taken from the UBTH morgue at about 8:30am and were loaded in a truck.
At the cemetery, a brief service was held for the victims and led by Pastor Barnabas Chukwukere.
Pastor Chukwukere urged the families to believe in the Lord and continue to serve him as death could occurred at any time.
According to him, “Remember now the Lord your creator. Leave your life as if it is the end. We are nothing but sand.
The families brought photographs of the victims including wreath and flowers to lay on the grave.
They were further peeved when they learnt that officials of the transport company were not present at the burial of the victims.
Ani Justin said his brother, Chibuzor died in the accident.
“I have no option but to accept the fact that my brother is buried in another land.”
Chika Odiamah said he spent three days at the hospital trying to identify his relatives but could not before he accepted the mass burial.
The victims’ relatives called for a policy that would made heavy duty vehicles ply the road only at night.
Officials of UBTH, policemen were present at the burial.
