A really tragic accident on Friday in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, claimed the lives of several operatives of the Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA), also known as Ndi Aka Odo, leaving others injured.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened when the vehicle conveying the anti-tout operatives rammed into a tipper fully loaded with sand along the Onitsha-Owerri expressway. The driver was allegedly over speeding before the collision.
An eyewitness, Peter Eze, said, “It was a terrible sight, the branded Toyota vehicle had about eight young men as occupants, and they were driving at full speed before ramming into the tipper. Some of them died instantly, while others were badly injured.”
The operatives were on a routine stop-and-search operation when the accident occurred. Witnesses reported that some operatives were trapped in the vehicle, and passersby had to rescue them.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions, with some people expressing sympathy for the victims, while others celebrated, citing the squad’s alleged history of brutality and extortion. A video circulating on social media shows the scene of the accident, with lifeless bodies littering the road.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Anambra State Police Command have been contacted for comments, but their responses were not immediately available.
This incident comes after widespread condemnation of the squad’s alleged brutality, including the beating of a motor park operator, Mgbiliba, last year. Despite calls for their dissolution, the squad has continued to operate, sparking concerns among residents.
