Coaster bus carrying UNICROSS students crashes violently with container truck on Calabar–Itu Highway in Cross River State killing students and staff

What began as a routine return trip for students of the University of Cross River State quickly turned into a devastating scene of loss on the Calabar–Itu Highway.

A coaster bus carrying students collided with a container truck in Odukpani Local Government Area, leaving a community in shock and families in grief.

The accident, which happened late on Friday night, involved students who had travelled to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for an official assignment.

Instead of returning with stories of progress and experience, the journey ended with emergency sirens and heartbreak.

Who Was Affected in the Crash

According to the university, about 24 students were on board the bus, most of them members of the Students’ Union Government executive.

Among the confirmed dead were three students and a staff member who was driving the vehicle.

Those who lost their lives include Solomon Uya, the SUG Director of Sports; Lucky Erim, a Chemistry student and faculty association president;

Favour Darlington from Educational Management; and Anthony Arikpo, a university staff member.

Each name represents a different story, a different ambition, and a different future that was cut short in an instant.

What Happened on That Night

The crash reportedly occurred around 9:25 p.m. at Ikot Okon along the same highway.

A container truck and the coaster bus collided under circumstances that are still under investigation.

Preliminary accounts suggest the bus was transporting students when it was struck.

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The force of the impact caused immediate chaos, with victims trapped and others injured across the scene.

Emergency responders later evacuated survivors to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, while some victims were treated in different nearby hospitals.

Response From the University Community

The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) quickly issued statements confirming the incident and mourning the loss.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, visited injured students in hospitals alongside senior academic staff.

She expressed deep shock at the scale of the tragedy and assured families that the institution would stand by them during the difficult period.

For students and staff alike, the mood across campus has been described as heavy and subdued, with grief spreading quickly through academic departments and student groups.

Police Investigation and Early Findings

The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the crash and noted that one victim died at the scene while another passed away later in hospital.

Authorities also reported that the truck driver fled after the accident, and efforts are ongoing to locate him.

Investigators are now trying to establish whether speed, fatigue, mechanical failure, or road conditions played a role.

Traffic was eventually restored after emergency clearance operations at the site.

Impact and Consequences

The consequences of the crash extend far beyond the immediate loss of life.

For the university, it means:

• Emotional trauma for surviving students
• Disruption of academic and student leadership activities
• A period of mourning that will affect campus life

For families, it is a permanent loss that cannot be replaced, especially for young students at the beginning of their lives.

On a wider level, the incident adds to ongoing concerns about highway safety in Nigeria, particularly along busy routes like the Calabar–Itu Highway, which has seen repeated calls for improved enforcement and road infrastructure.

What’s Next?

Investigations will continue as police attempt to track down the fleeing truck driver and reconstruct the exact cause of the collision.

The university is expected to support the families of the deceased and provide medical and psychological care for survivors.

There may also be renewed pressure on transport safety regulations for official student movements, especially long-distance trips involving highways with heavy truck traffic.

Summary

A tragic road crash on the Calabar–Itu Highway has claimed the lives of three students and a staff member of the University of Cross River State.

The incident has left dozens injured, triggered police investigations, and plunged the university community into mourning.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Crash involved a coaster bus and container truck on Calabar–Itu Highway in Cross River State
• 24 students from UNICROSS were on board during the accident
• Three students and one university staff member confirmed dead
• Incident occurred late Friday night around 9:25 p.m. in Odukpani LGA
• Truck driver reportedly fled the scene after the collision
• Survivors are receiving treatment in multiple hospitals including UCTH
• University management visited injured students and promised support
• Police are investigating the cause and searching for the fleeing driver
• The tragedy has intensified concerns about highway safety in Nigeria
• Campus community remains in mourning as recovery efforts continue