A mysterious ukwuakpu tree collapsed in Obollo- Afor community killing a nursing mother with a year old baby and three other persons at the busy Obollo-Afor market in Udenu local government area of Enugu state, reports say.
According to an eye witness, the huge ukwuakpu tree allegedly measuring about 20ft fell on a palm oil packing store and a food restaurant, killing the nursing mother hawking banana, identified as Ijeoma Ojobor and her one year old baby Chibueze Ojobor; one mechanic identified as Romanus Eze along Enugu-Makurdi expressway and two others.
The over 150 years old tree collapsed after a heavy storm. Several other people injured are said to be receiving treatment at St. Theresea’s hospital in the area.
Reports claim that before the tree fell and killed 4 people, there had been several accidents every year at the spot of the ukwuapku tree, that claimed four lives each time.
Police from the Udenu police division and a wood sawyer were able to recover the corpse of the mechanic trapped under the tree. The owner of the restaurant and another person named Ikechukwu were both left with broken legs and other injuries while the restaurant owner’s brother died on the spot.
According to residents in the community, the tree roots were said to have reportedly decayed for decades which was why the tree collapsed during the heavy storm on that fateful day .
Enugu state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ebere Amarizu warned residents to be careful with trees in their surroundings and offices to avoid future occurrences.
