Two Feared Dead as Motorcycle Crashes into NUJ Convoy in Akwa Ibom
Two persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal road accident involving a motorcycle and a convoy of vehicles conveying journalists to the 2026 New Year Thanksgiving Ceremony of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The incident occurred on Sunday along Idoro Road, near Pepsi Junction, a major intersection linking Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to Abak.
The journalists were en route to the thanksgiving service scheduled to hold at the Qua Iboe Church (QIC), Abak Intense community, in Abak Local Government Area, when the accident happened.
Eyewitnesses said the motorcycle rider, who was conveying a passenger, rammed into the NUJ convoy while attempting to navigate out of the road. According to one of the journalists in the convoy, Mr Uduak Ephraim, the cyclist suddenly lost control and veered into the line of vehicles, resulting in a head-on collision.
“The bike operator was carrying a passenger, and along Idoro Road by Pepsi Junction, they crashed headlong into the convoy as the rider tried to find his way out,” Ephraim said.
“He suddenly lost control and veered into the convoy, and the impact led to the death of the motorcyclist and his passenger.”
The incident reportedly triggered tension in the area, with some youths in the community expressing anger over the deaths. As a result, journalists were advised to exercise caution while travelling through the route to Abak.
In a message circulated among journalists, a concerned colleague urged members to avoid Idoro Road by Pepsi Junction through Ukpom Abak Road for safety reasons.
“For the safety of our members coming to Abak for the NUJ Thanksgiving Service, kindly avoid using Idoro Road by Pepsi Junction,” the message read. “There has been a fatal accident that claimed the lives of two persons on a motorbike who ran into our convoy. Please share this information to protect our members, in case of any reprisal by community youths.”
As at the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Timfon John, had yet to respond to enquiries on the incident.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
