I Can’t Blame God for the Death of My 11 Family Members – Enugu Tanker Fire Victim’s Relative

The grief in the home of Ikechukwu Nwaji is palpable. Just days after burying his father, tragedy struck again—this time, claiming the lives of 11 members of his family in a fatal tanker fire accident in Enugu. Despite the immense pain, he insists he cannot blame God for the loss.

“I don’t see any reason why God would decide to punish an entire family this way,” Nwaji told reporters. “This was not an act of God—it was man-made.”

The disaster occurred on January 25, 2025, as his elder brother, Jeremiah Nwaji, along with his wife, six children, a younger brother, and two domestic workers, traveled from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Ebonyi State for their father’s burial. Around 11 a.m., along the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, a petrol-laden tanker reportedly lost control and exploded, setting several vehicles, including the Sienna bus carrying his family, ablaze.

The next day, Nwaji arrived at the scene, only to find ashes and burnt remains. “What we saw and packed into a nylon bag were ashes and remnants of the Sienna bus,” he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. “Some people said they were roasted like goats, but I told them—those were my family members.”

The tragedy compounded the family’s grief, coming just as they were laying their father to rest. Jeremiah, aged 40, was not only the family’s eldest son but also their primary provider. “He was the one who funded our father’s burial. Now, we are left alone, and his burial, alongside those of his wife and children, is yet to be done,” Nwaji lamented.

In addition to the emotional toll, the family faces financial hardship. “Governor Francis Nwifuru was my brother’s classmate at Nwofe Secondary School. He was even the Onitsha Coordinator of the governor’s political movement. I expected the governor to be the first to visit us, but he hasn’t,” he revealed. “We need help. His presence alone would console us.”

For Nwaji, the accident highlights the dangers of allowing petrol tankers to ply major roads during the day. “In other countries, heavy vehicles move at night or on separate lanes. Why is Nigeria different?” he asked. “This accident could have been avoided.”

He called on authorities to enforce stricter traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents. “If the tanker driver had entered the right lane, this wouldn’t have happened. I strongly believe there should be better controls on these heavy vehicles.”

Despite his grief, Nwaji finds solace in the overwhelming support from his community. “People have been sleeping in my house every night to make sure I don’t harm myself,” he said. “They have shown me love in ways I never imagined.”

He also urged others to be cautious when traveling. “My advice is simple—never put all your eggs in one basket. If my family had traveled in smaller groups, maybe some of them would still be alive.”

As the family prepares for another round of burials, their pain remains immeasurable. Yet, in the face of this unimaginable loss, Nwaji holds on to faith, hoping that lessons will be learned and that the government will take action to prevent future tragedies.