Alex Otti has expressed profound grief over a tragic road accident that claimed the lives of 15 Abia residents who were returning to Umuahia after attending a wedding ceremony in Enugu. In a Government Special Announcement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the governor described the incident as painful, devastating and heartbreaking for both the government and the people of the state. He noted that the crash occurred outside Abia State’s jurisdiction, which limited the possibility of immediate emergency intervention from state authorities.

Following verified reports of the accident, the governor directed the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection to urgently reach out to the bereaved families and survivors to ensure they receive necessary government assistance and support during their period of grief. He stressed that no affected family should be left to bear such a heavy loss alone and assured them of the state government’s solidarity.

Governor Otti also used the occasion to renew calls for stricter compliance with road safety rules, urging motorists to obey traffic regulations, avoid over-speeding, and refrain from dangerous practices such as driving against traffic. He emphasised that many fatal accidents are preventable if drivers prioritise safety over haste, and described the tragedy as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for collective responsibility among road users across Nigerian highways.