What was meant to be a solemn but routine burial turned into an unimaginable tragedy for 37-year-old Ikechukwu Nwaji, who lost 11 members of his family in a devastating tanker explosion along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.
The victims, including his elder brother, Jeremiah Nwaji, his wife, six children, a housemaid, a male servant, and Ikechukwu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, were traveling from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Ebonyi State for their father’s burial when their vehicle was caught in a tanker fire at Ugwu Onyeama on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
A Journey That Ended in Ashes
According to Ikechukwu, his family had been preparing for the burial of their late father, which was scheduled for January 30 and 31. His elder brother had informed him of their departure time that Saturday morning, but when they failed to arrive on schedule, Ikechukwu’s concern grew.
Repeated calls to his brother, sister-in-law, younger brother, and the household staff went unanswered. Desperate for answers, he turned to the internet and saw reports of a tanker explosion in Enugu. However, he clung to hope, until the next day when he made a heartbreaking discovery.
“As early as 6 a.m. on Sunday, I was already on my way to Ugwu Onyeama. When I got there, I saw the remains of the Sienna bus they were traveling in, burnt beyond recognition. Inside, there were only skeletons, ashes where my family members once were,” he recounted.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that none of the occupants survived. Road safety officials later told the family that all passengers in the Sienna perished on the spot.
A Community in Mourning
The burial of Ikechukwu’s father went ahead as planned, but the grieving mood deepened as the community tried to come to terms with the loss of 11 more family members. The charred remains of the victims were collected and buried in Enugu, pending a proper traditional burial.
“My father was 73 when he died, while my late brother, Jeremiah, was 40. My younger brother was over 20 years old. The loss is unbearable,” Ikechukwu said.
The grief-stricken family has also been left without its primary breadwinner. Jeremiah, a close political associate of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, was responsible for funding their father’s burial. Ikechukwu expressed disappointment that the governor, who was a classmate of his late brother, had yet to visit or reach out.
A Preventable Tragedy?
While still grappling with grief, Ikechukwu questioned why such tragedies continue to occur in Nigeria. He believes the accident was avoidable and blamed poor road regulations for the loss of innocent lives.
“I can’t believe this was an act of God—it was man-made. Why are heavy-duty tankers allowed to ply the roads during the day? In many countries, they move at night to prevent such disasters,” he lamented.
In a heartfelt message to others, he advised families to avoid traveling in large numbers, suggesting that splitting into smaller groups could reduce the impact of such tragedies.
A Plea for Support
As the family prepares for yet another round of burials, Ikechukwu called on Governor Nwifuru and the Ebonyi State Government to support them in their time of need.
“My brother dedicated his time and resources to the governor’s political movement. Now that he’s gone, I hope the governor will honor his memory by standing with us in this difficult time,” he said.
For now, the Nwaji family is left with memories—and the overwhelming pain of losing so much, so suddenly.
