By Chimdiogo Amuh 

Tragedy struck Awhum, Udi LGA, on Tuesday as a massive tree collapsed onto an 18-seater commercial bus, killing all passengers on board and throwing the community into deep shock and mourning.

The incident occurred along a busy local route, instantly turning a routine journey into a scene of devastation. Eyewitnesses described a loud crash as the ancient tree gave way, crushing the bus beyond recognition and leaving no survivors.

Beyond the heartbreaking loss of lives, the tragedy has ignited controversy within the community. Traditional worshippers who revere the tree as sacred have attributed the incident to alleged disrespect by some Christian worshippers, claiming the tree had spiritual significance and should not have been desecrated. According to them, the calamity is not a mere accident but a consequence of ignored warnings and cultural violations.

However, many residents have rejected this view, insisting the incident was a natural disaster possibly caused by age, weakened roots, or environmental factors such as erosion and heavy winds. They have called for calm and urged authorities to focus on safety rather than religious or cultural blame.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Chairman of Udi LGA described the incident as “catastrophic and deeply painful,” expressing condolences to the families of the victims. He assured the public that investigations would be carried out to determine the exact cause of the tree fall and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

As the people of Awhum struggle to come to terms with the loss, calls are growing for government intervention to assess old and potentially dangerous trees near roads, as well as for sustained dialogue between religious groups to prevent tensions from worsening an already tragic situation.

For now, the community remains united in grief, even as questions linger: was it a spiritual warning, or simply a deadly accident waiting to happen?