The Cross River State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comr. Emmanuel Olayi, narrowly escaped death after a serious road traffic accident along the Nko/Inyima stretch of the Ikom-Calabar expressway while en route to Obubra Local Government Area for a major youth engagement event. Four others traveling with him, including three aides and a driver, were also involved but survived.
The incident occurred during the Central Youth Engagement Tour organized by the state’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Oden Ewa. Speaking from his hospital bed, Olayi recounted that the red Toyota Corolla conveying him and his team suddenly skidded off the expressway despite the driver’s attempts to regain control. The vehicle veered into a bush, tumbled multiple times, and ultimately collided with a tree.
Olayi said the occupants sustained injuries of varying severity, particularly to the head, neck, and chest, and noted that one aide was temporarily unable to use his legs immediately after the crash. He confirmed that fortunately, no lives were lost in the accident.
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According to the NYCN chairman, commercial motorcycle riders in the area were first on the scene, assisting in opening the damaged vehicle and rescuing the occupants. They were initially taken to the General Hospital in Ugep for first aid before being transferred by ambulance to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) for further medical care.
Olayi clarified that his vehicle was the only one involved in the crash and that it had been traveling ahead of the main convoy at the time. Other vehicles in the convoy later stopped after the victims had been safely moved from the scene.
As of the time of reporting, Olayi and his team were responding to treatment at UCTH, while the wrecked vehicle remained at the crash site pending recovery.
