Anambra: Tragedy averted as lorry crashes into church

A potential disaster was narrowly avoided in Agulu, Anambra State, after a fully loaded lorry crashed into St. Matthias Catholic Church and burst into flames.

The incident occurred late Wednesday along the Agulu Lake–Golden Tulip Hotel Road, sparking panic among residents as emergency responders raced to the scene to contain the fire.

Eyewitnesses said the truck, reportedly moving at high speed, lost control on a sloping section of the road before ramming into the church premises. “It veered off and immediately caught fire. Luckily, nobody was around at the time,” a resident said.

The driver fled the scene shortly after the crash, leaving behind the burning vehicle as locals and first responders struggled to prevent the fire from spreading.

Confirming the development, the Anambra State Fire Service attributed the incident to speeding and loss of control. Spokesperson Chukwudi Chiketa said firefighters quickly brought the situation under control, averting further damage.

In a separate incident, the agency also responded to a fire outbreak at a factory in Obosi in the early hours of the same day, where coordinated efforts helped contain the blaze and protect nearby buildings.

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, warning that reckless driving remains a major risk on the state’s roads.