A tragic accident along the Calabar–Itu Federal Highway in Cross River State has claimed the life of a truck driver and left others injured, highlighting ongoing safety concerns over the highway’s deteriorating condition.

The crash occurred in the early hours of Monday when two articulated trucks collided head-on.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the collision was not caused by speeding but by the bad state of the road, which has been under prolonged rehabilitation.

According to Samuel Otu, a witness, one truck was transporting stones while the other carried palm oil in jerrycans.

“The stone-laden truck swerved on a damaged portion of the road and struck the oncoming palm oil truck.

The impact crushed the front of the vehicle, killing the driver instantly,” Otu explained.

Another motorist, Odudu David, who was returning from Akwa Ibom to Calabar, described the scene as “very scary” and urged the government to accelerate highway repairs to prevent further accidents.

“People are dying every day. Authorities must act swiftly to avoid more tragedies,” he added.

Innocent Tommy Etuk, the Cross River State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the incident.

He stated that officers were immediately dispatched to evacuate the deceased and clear the wreckage to restore traffic flow along this critical federal artery linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The Calabar–Itu Highway has a history of recurring accidents due to its poor condition, including deep gullies, failed sections, and uneven surfaces.

Local residents and commuters continue to call on the federal government to prioritize its completion and implement enhanced road safety measures.

This incident underscores the urgent need for road infrastructure improvement in Cross River, as ongoing delays in rehabilitation continue to endanger lives and disrupt economic activities along the corridor.