A Nigerian man has credited divine intervention for saving his life after deciding not to board a bus that later crashed on Saturday, 15 February 2026, killing at least 14 Umuahia traders returning from a traditional marriage ceremony in Enugu State.
Toshiba Ihediri, who identified himself as the groom’s neighbour, said he had sat in the Toyota Coaster bus for approximately five hours waiting for it to fill up before changing his mind about the journey.
According to Ihediri, who shared his account on social media on Monday, 16 February, he boarded the bus at 8:00 AM and remained seated until midday. He said he felt compelled to disembark and abandon the journey despite his initial plans to attend the wedding ceremony.
The bus, carrying traders from Isi Gate Market who operate along Bonny Street by Owerri Road in Umuahia, collided with a Mercedes truck on the Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway at approximately 6:45 PM on Saturday. Eleven passengers died instantly at the scene, while three others later succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Franklin Agbakoba, Enugu State Sector Commander of the FRSC, confirmed the incident, noting that several passengers remain in critical condition at area hospitals.
Ihediri described his decision to leave the bus as following an inner prompting. He said he was the only passenger who chose not to travel after the extended wait for the vehicle to reach capacity.
In his social media post, Ihediri expressed gratitude for what he termed a narrow escape, noting the potential impact on his family had he remained on the bus. He questioned what would have happened to his mother, wife, children, siblings, and close associates had he not changed his decision.
The traders had traveled to Enugu to attend the traditional marriage of a colleague. The accident occurred as they were returning to Umuahia following the ceremony.
When journalists visited Bonny Street in Umuahia on Sunday afternoon, the trading area was largely deserted as many merchants had closed their shops following news of the tragedy. The area, typically bustling with commercial activity, remained subdued as traders processed the loss of their colleagues.
Sources indicated that among the fatalities were five siblings who were traveling together on the bus. The death toll has been reported variably between 14 and 17, with some sources indicating additional passengers have died from injuries since the initial crash.
The FRSC has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Preliminary assessments suggest the crash occurred along a section of the expressway known for heavy vehicular traffic.
The Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway has been the site of multiple fatal accidents in recent years. Road safety advocates have repeatedly called for improved safety measures along the route, citing poor road conditions and inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations as contributing factors to the high accident rate.
Nigeria recorded 9,570 road accidents resulting in 5,421 deaths in 2025, according to FRSC data. Road safety experts attribute the high fatality rate to factors including vehicle overloading, excessive speed, poor vehicle maintenance, and inadequate road infrastructure.
The traders’ association in Umuahia has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. Family members of the deceased are expected to receive support from community organizations and local authorities as funeral arrangements proceed.
