More than 10 accident victims were rescued on Saturday after Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, personally intervened during a fatal crash along the Benin–Auchi highway.

The governor, who was on his way to Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area, met a heavy traffic jam shortly after the bypass and decided to investigate. On arriving at the scene, he discovered multiple passengers in critical condition, many of them bleeding while onlookers stood by helplessly.

Governor Okpebholo’s Impact on Road Safety

Moved by the situation, Governor Okpebholo directed his aides to use two of his convoy’s Hilux security vehicles to rush the injured to a nearby hospital. He personally supervised the rescue operation, ensuring victims—including a severely injured woman—were carefully carried into the vehicles for urgent treatment.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the crash occurred when the driver of a white Toyota Venza (registration number ABUJA GWA 50 AW) drove against traffic, colliding with three commercial minibuses filled with passengers. The accident left many wounded and caused a major traffic gridlock.

Governor Okpebholo remained at the site until the last victim was evacuated before continuing his journey. His swift action earned him praise from residents, motorists, and sympathisers.

As of press time, neither the Federal Road Safety Corps nor the state government had issued an official statement on the incident.